Interview under caution!!!

cookingmama31

Hiya I have already asked this q on a different thread and I was told I would get more help if I started a new one!...So here goes

I received a letter on Wed requesting my attendance at an IUC on Thurs, it basically says "We believe there are grounds for suspecting that you may have commited a criminal offence in relation to a benefit claim because of failing to declare a change in circumstances namely LWSAHW!"

I am a single mum with 4 kids and I am in reciept of IS and CS for my girls and boys (which is included in my IS), I have 2 ex's both of whom I get on ok with and everything is very amicable. I have never "lived" with either of them. My ex who is my two youngest's father has stayed over 2 maybe 3 times since Christmas, twice for me to go out with friends and once because my little boy was ill and wanted his daddy. All utility bills are in my name and he has his own place. I attended a customer compliance interview about 2 years ago and it was a little intimidating, I was told that no one I could be seen to have a relationship with could stay over at all not even 1 night! It seems if you are a single parent on benefits you are not entitled to a life! Anyway I called the community legal team who advised me to speak to a solicitor. Both of them told me not to attend alone and the solicitor said I should definatley see him first and have them re-arrange the interview. If I have nothing to hide should I not just go and see what it's all about? I am thinking they can't just haul me in for one of these unless they have some kind of evidence to support my wrong doing? Again I live alone and they could've watched my house 24/7 and seen people coming and going but apart from those 3 nights never staying!

I haven't yet re-arranged the interview with them but I have booked an app to see the solicitor. I have been worrying myself stupid over this as being alone with 4 kids means my nerves are shot to pieces at the best of times!.


My benefits haven't been reduced or suspended infact they went up by £22 last week!
Any help would be really appreciated, I am a little anxious, the letter just popped onto my mat completely unexpected.

Valley's_girl

Hi Cookingmama I don't have any advice that I can give you but I am sure someone will be along shortly who will be able to advise you, try not to worry I know that is easier said than done.
Good luck and welcome to Mse.
Ally xx

cookingmama31

Thanks, I'll stay online and see if someone can offer me some words of wisdom!

Scarlett1

try not to worry, as long as you have not done anything wrong then it should work out ok, tell them that you believe that you have been reported by a vindictive neighbour who you have fallen out with, I doubt you can be seen as having done anything wrong with having an ex stay over 3 times in nearly 4 months, I wouldn't think you would need a solicitor

real1314

On the one hand, you could attend the interview, bearing in mind that you can leave it at any time. Your solicitor has advised you to see them first, which is good advice, but if it is just a malicious allegation, you could attend, see how it goes and if you aren't happy with the situation you can ask them to stop as you want to see your solicitor.

You know what's going on more than anyone here, so you're in the best postion to decide what to do.

btw does anyone else use your address for post?

Inspector

Roughly....

You'll be cautioned - you have the right to remain silent etc...officers will introduce themselves and you (for benefit of the tape)

the officers will ask you a lot of questions about your understanding of the benefit that you receive. I guess they will then check to see your knowledge of what you should advise them if your circumstances change etc...
They'll put their evidence to you (assuming they have some of course) and you'll be given the opportunity to explain yourself - BE CAREFUL in case you are tripped up and get confused and muddled up. Its easily done in a stressful situation!

Just be honest and tell the truth.

At the end, they may put an allegation to you and caution you once again.

You'll be asked to chose a tape to be sealed up as evidence for a hearing - the other tape will be a working copy for the officers.

End.

***Disclaimer*** The above happens where I am - it could be slightly different but I guess its very similar!

minimoneysaver

What is LWSAHW? Sorry, but i'm rubbish with all of these abv.

cookingmama31

LWSAHW. Living with someone as husband and wife.

Glittermonkey

Hello,

I have attended one of these myself 2.5 years ago so I will try and help you as best I can.

I dont think its likely that a neighbour has informed the BA 4 weeks ago and they have called you in this soon. I know my investigation went on for around 9 months before I was interviewed as they will try and gather as much evidence as possible before seeing you.

Any evidence to prove their allegation against me was shown to me, i was asked lots of questions about my benefits, claims etc. As a previous poster mentioned, do be careful. I guessed at a few dates because i felt as if i had to give them an answer. I told them my flat mate had moved out in Sept, when she had actually gone in Nov. This was 5 years before my interview and she had nothing to do with my claim but it was used against me that I was lying about dates, i wish I had said I didnt honestly know.

I didnt know mine was LTAHAW, the letter had just said to discuss my claim, but as you know, you can go in prepared.

As he lives elesewhere he must have bills, wage slips, Drs letters etc addressed to him at his new address? If so, take whatever evidence you can in to prove he does reside elsewhere. Investigators can check this out themselves but mine hadn't at the time of my interview, they did eventually (13 months after my interview until they got some of the details!) but I wish I had it all at the time.

If you dont take a solicitor then ou can take a friend. It is nice to have somebody there with you as it does feel intimidating and you do feel nervous.

Good luck x

cookingmama31

Well just come back! Very very scary indeed. Bank statements were given too me asking why over the Christmas period credits to my account were made by a company. Well it was my ex's wages from a part time job he had at xmas. (He doesn't have an account) Lasted about 15 mins...I admitted that it was his wages and that some of the money was given too me for the childrens xmas gifts. The q's were all about the money though and not what the alleged offence is about i.e LTAHAW! I said he doesn't live with me he has his own place and apart from the occasional night over he see's the kids once or twice a week. The tape was turned off and will now be sent to another department and I will be called back in when needed. I think I may have tripped up on some dates as I couldn't quite be sure of what some amounts were on the statements and why they were paid in. I guess I'll just have to wait and see but the thing is he really does have his own place and we don't live together, I have a solicitors app next week so I'll know more about my legal rights then. It is very intimidating though and I found myself stuttering and stumbling my way through because I genuinely couldn't remember the answers to the questions I was asked. Anyway just thought I would post so anyone else who has to attend one knows what to expect. x

nej

So if you are a single mum on benefits and start seeing someone and they stay over, or start to get back together with the father of your kids, they start to cut your benefits?

No wonder this country is falling apart with a lack of families - they penalise you for being one!