In a pickle... Fraud?

lucielou5

This is my first post so I wasnt sure where to put it so please excuse me.

Basically I have been claiming housing benefit that I am NOT entitled to. This was a genuine oversight (and gross stupidity) on my part and I want it put right but frankly I am terrified!!!

Judging by the various benefit calculators I have used, I think i may actually owe HB about £350 which I am more than willing to repay, however if they were to take this sum in one lump this wold cause me great hardship. Do you think that by my being totally honest they will take this into account? And would I be charged with Fraud?

I am not a big earner. With CB, wages and tax credits, my income is roughly £185pw and my rent is £600pm!!!

Does anyone have any advice please?

Sugarfree_Babe

I suggest you head for the nearest Citizens Advice Bureau ASAP. I am sure they will be able to help you and they may be able to find some benefits you ARE entitled to,

dippy3103

I would suggest you contact the LA that you claim from and put them in the picture. IF you have done this without being prompted (ie you havn't had a letter inviting you for interview about this or had a review form) then this will probably be treated a a voluntry disclosure, and they would only recover the overpayment. If you have had a letter inviting you for interview, then the council probably are looking at it as fraud. However, an overpayment of that level is unlikley to go to court unless there are aggrivating factors.
As regards the money you owe, then I would expect they would allow you to come to a reasonable repayment arrangement.
My advice would be to get it over and done with as soon as you can- that way it's not preying on your mind. People do make honest mistakes, and i you take steps to put it right asap i am sure you will be dealt with sypathetically.
Good luck.

real1314

The best thing to do is to write to them asap to tell them that you've forgotten to tell them something and that you think you may owe them some money. They are unlikely to expect it all back in one go and imo it's unlikely that they would take any further action as it makes no sense to take fraud action against a voluntary disclosure (I think it may also be against established "natural justice")

Bung them a letter, take it from there.

Conor_3

Walk into the HB Office and tell them immediately. They have the ability to put a repayment plan into action without it going any further. Take details of your income and expenses so they can work out a suitable repayment with you. It's better for them not to go to court over it as it costs them to do that just to end up with the same result. From what I gather, £350 is a very small amount compared to what some people have deliberately defrauded councils out of.

suelees1

If you can get in to CAB or similar do so if it would put your mind at rest but I really don't think you need to. I'd go along with the last three posters. In my experience it's extremely unlikely they'll take this further. It certainly wouldn't be in the public interest to prosecute for this amount.

As far as recovering it they usually deduct an amount from your regular weekly housing benefit. Whatever they reduce this by you'll have to pay that to your landlord to make up the rent. If you can't afford the amount they want to take you can always send in an income and expenditure form and ask them to look at a more reasonable amount.

Bear in mind that it will create an outstanding council tax bill as well so you'll need to make arrangements to pay.

suelees1

Sugarfree_Babe wrote: »

I suggest you head for the nearest Citizens Advice Bureau ASAP. I am sure they will be able to help you and they may be able to find some benefits you ARE entitled to,

I was too quick to answer before. Sugarfree Babe hs given some good advice about other benefits. It seems you might be entitled to some HB and CTB. You can also apply for a Discretionary Housing Payment to top up your HB. You can't get this simply because they're recovering an overpayment but it looks like you're struggling anyway so go for it. CAB or similiar will help.