Compliance officer.

Scaredashell

Hi everyone . Is there anyone that could give me a bit of advice I'm so worried . I got a letter on Saturday from dwp too go too job centre too see compliance officer . I am currently on esa support group . Earlier this year I done 4 weeks of work too see if I was in a good state of mind because I suffer from really bad depression and anxiety . I couldn't stick it I was always crying and not being able too be round people and had too give it up .

I was wondering if anyone knows will I get my benefits stopped completely or will I just have too pay it back . It's making me feel so scared .

marliepanda

Its unlikely your benefit will be stopped 'overall' but they will need to investigate so this may result in a short stoppage depending on a few things, however, did you tell your ESA coach (or anyone) that you wanted to try this work, did you get it approved, and did you inform them of your wages?

calcotti

If you were earning less than £125.50/week and working less than 16 hours the work will count as permitted work. You are advised to inform DWP before doing permitted work but nonetheless they probably will not penalize if the work is within these limits. If you were over the limit then you were not entitled to ESA and will have to repay the overpayment and may be fined.

What has probably happened is that ESA have been informed of your earnings by HMRC and they want to find out from you what they were for. Unfortunately because of HMRC reporting DWP are now often starting investigations of claimants even though the earnings are completely legitimate ( for example claimants on cESA who get occupational sick pay).

annandale

I don’t think an investigation would result in a stoppage. It’s not an interview under caution is it? If they have had notification of what you have earned they already know if you have been overpaid or not.

Please try not to worry. I had an interview with a compliance officer last week for a different reason. A malicious report and I was very stressed but they were very nice.

calcotti

I agree they are unlikely to stop payment while the investigation is being carried out.

Scaredashell

Thank you everyone for youre help

Scaredashell

Tomorrow is the day I've too go see the compliance officer . I just want too explain everything incase something's didn't get explained correctly . I'm on the support group of esa. I suffer really bad anxiety and depression and am so scared too leave the house I jump at the slightest thing .

I stay with my mum and my mum has a full time job as a carer working with the down syndrome .Earlier this year I got a chance of a job and my mum said I should give it a go too see if it helped me and if see if it would be good too try get over my anxiety and things . I done 4 weeks of work and I earned 300 pound per week I was off 5 days out of those 4 weeks because I was finding it so difficult. I got a letter from the compliance officer and go see them tomorrow . I know it's my own stupid fault not declaring it too the dwp. Does anyone know if I'll be stripped of my benefits and won't receive anything or will they deduct what I owe . I am in such a mess and if anyone could explain too me it would be of great help . Thank you so much

marliepanda

Sorry to be 'blunt' but you haven't added anything else to your initial question so the answers are the same. No one can tell you for sure. You will need to find out tomorrow.

TELLIT01

You will have to repay the amount you were overpaid whilst working. That will probably be done by reducing your payments over a period of time, but the Compliance Officer will explain it all to you tomorrow. If you have payslips, tak those with you.