Benefit fraud, interview under caution

dippy3103

Diary wrote: »

You and your ex girlfriend need to come clean about this straight away. And you need face to face advise from a specialist benefits solicitor or other benefit specialist. You should have gone with your ex girlfriend instead of leaving her to face it alone. She must have told you about this serious interview as you share alot togther and you should have gone - it's about both of you being discovered not just her.

He wouldn't have been allowed into the interview as he is connected to the investigation and is a potential witness

rw17

I wanted to go to the I interview, we knew what it was they were going to allege as it said on the letter they sent so knew that they wouldn't have allowed me to go in. I would very much like them to interview me I have nothing to hide. I have also written up a letter to send to them but advised not to do so by a solicitor (not at least without their approval and their feed being paid).Yes one room is the cheapest option for a single person especially in my area I'd never be able to afford a flat on my own plus everything else that comes with it. I have changed my address on everything I can think of immediately I suppose I was naive of what trouble this can cause particularly when I know that we/she have done nothing wrong. Thanks to those for the support

powerful_Rogue

rw17 wrote: »

I wanted to go to the I interview, we knew what it was they were going to allege as it said on the letter they sent so knew that they wouldn't have allowed me to go in. I would very much like them to interview me I have nothing to hide. I have also written up a letter to send to them but advised not to do so by a solicitor (not at least without their approval and their feed being paid).Yes one room is the cheapest option for a single person especially in my area I'd never be able to afford a flat on my own plus everything else that comes with it. I have changed my address on everything I can think of immediately I suppose I was naive of what trouble this can cause particularly when I know that we/she have done nothing wrong. Thanks to those for the support

How long was you together for?
How long have you been separated for?
How old are the children?

rw17

We were together for 12-13 years, since we were 15, we have broken up at times throughout that period. We have been separated for just over a year now and the children are 2 and 5

powerful_Rogue

Another question they may ask and look into is what were the sleeping arrangements when you went on holiday?

Topcat1982

Some of these posts are harsh. Normally we see on here people pretending their husband lives in a car or is sofa surfing.

Rent, council tax and other bills > increase in this ladies benefits.

Honestly I think this will be sorted. You have proof of paying rent, tenancy agreement, housemates that will vouch for you.

IAmWales

Topcat1982 wrote: »

Some of these posts are harsh. Normally we see on here people pretending their husband lives in a car or is sofa surfing.

Rent, council tax and other bills > increase in this ladies benefits.

Honestly I think this will be sorted. You have proof of paying rent, tenancy agreement, housemates that will vouch for you.

Rent etc for a room in a HMO could easily be less than benefits for a single parent.

Jenniefour

IAmWales wrote: »

Rent etc for a room in a HMO could easily be less than benefits for a single parent.

That might be the case, but it doesn't mean OP and his ex have conveniently cooked this up to get the benefits (and there are some that would), and he's already explained he can't afford any other accommodation.

cattie

People are only called to attend an IUC once DWP consider they already have enough evidence to either prosecute, or to reduce the amount of benefit being paid & set up a repayment plan for any overdue amount. That's not to say that everybody called in is found to have been committing benefit fraud, the reasons for the interview is to establish the truth.

You have to remember that they have heard every story in the book where claims for living separately from partner are made in an attempt to make themselves eligible for means tested benefits. The reasoning behind your never having changed your address on official letters etc. does sound suspicious, but it will be the DWP who will make the final decision, based on the information they have & the outcome of the interview with your partner.

MacMickster

Given your age you are part of the social media generation. I expect that you will both have all sorts on Facebook etc about the split at the time and the reactions from your friends.

Your 5 year old will be at school, so surely you notified the school of your new address as an emergency contact.

You say that you share the car. What did you state on the insurance renewal that your relationship was and your home address? (Deliberately giving the wrong address after you split would be a little more than forgetful).

You work. Surely your employer expects to know your home address. They have a duty of care. If you fail to turn up at work and haven't phoned in sick then they will want to check that nothing has happened to you, so you will have notified them when you moved won't you?

If you put your mind to it there are probably all sorts of sources of evidence that you can find to demonstrate that you did separate.