Help im panicking

ascen84d

I have been in benefits for 4 years. I have attempting work but couldn't cope.
However, i got more stable and still under treatment with the mental health team.
I started working 10 weeks ago full time in an office low stress and glad to finally be back at work.
I am going to call on tuesday as i got it booked off from work in the morning.
I didn't want to ring before this as i was panicking incase i couldn't cope in my work and i'm going to ring and explain the circumstances?
Will i be done for fraud or anything? i have no bother paying it back im panicking so much at the minute. Any advice?

TELLIT01

Nobody can say with certainty what is likely to happen, other than the overpayment will be recovered. You are informing DWP before they find out from other sources that you are in full time work so that is a positive element.

ascen84d

Yeah, I have most of the payments there its around 1000 and if i explain i was worried incase i couldn't cope and i am under probation but more than willing to pay it back. I really hope i'll not go to jail and they don't think im a fraud. Its been ten weeks will i be in serious bother. Is this common where people might not declare straight away? i just really want to get off benefits now that im trying to work.

poppy12345

You won't go to prison for 10 weeks of over payment. Just ring the Tuesday morning and report the changes, explain why you didn't report them before. As you have to money to repay them back then there shouldn't be any problem.

ascen84d

Aww that's a relief. Im just so glad i can finally support myself and finally get off benefits

Alice_Holt

What benefits were you claiming?

If PIP, that can continue if working.

ESA does allow for agreed permitted work, whilst trying out work to see if work is possible. But in a full time position you'd be above the permitted hours.
https://www.entitledto.co.uk/help/Permitted-Work-Rules

And on UC, working is not discouraged.

Per the other responses - you will just have to repay ESA monies. You won't be done for fraud.

ascen84d

I'll happily pay it back, will they contact my work? I didn't declare my mental health illness and I don't want my work finding out in case they dismiss me

TELLIT01

ascen84d wrote: »

I'll happily pay it back, will they contact my work? I didn't declare my mental health illness and I don't want my work finding out in case they dismiss me

They might want to confirm your actual start date with the company. As you didn't tell them at the time you started they will understandably not be too keen to believe what you tell them now. There is absolutely no reason for them to divulge to the employer the reason you were claiming benefits.

ascen84d

Aww that's ok, just I really don't want them to find out about my mental illness and would they be able to contact the hmrc to see my payments I can show bank statements anyways

calcotti

If you have a letter from your employer confirming your start date or a contract of employment confirming the start date when you ring you can offer to take these down to the JobCentre together with any payslips you have already received. This may reduce the likelihood of them contacting your employer.

System

ascen84d wrote: »

I'll happily pay it back, will they contact my work? I didn't declare my mental health illness and I don't want my work finding out in case they dismiss me

Whilst i understand not wanting to tell work, have you considered what would happen if your mental health relapsed? If they knew it might be possible to make reasonable adjustments should you need them further down the line. Obviously though i dp understand not all employers are understanding and why you may want to keep it to yourself for the time being, just something to consider. I really wasn;t coping being back at work until i had some adjustments put in place