I stupidly didn`t tell the dwp that me and my bf got back together,i know it was wrong and i`m not trying to justify what i done but i am upto my eyeballs in debt,anyway we were back together for 5 months and he has left again anyway so i am a single mum again.
I received a letter asking me to attend an office interview with a compliance officer about a query that has arisen about my claim to benefit.i am petrified and do wish now i had just told them but what happens if my ex is now away again?Advice apprecciated and please no nasty comments as i know what i did was wrong and i know people pay their taxes etc etc,i just want some advice.
2007-02-09 10:49:43 · 20 answers · asked by onlyme 5 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
Yes you have got yourself in a bit of a mess but there are things that are relevant here. If your boyfriend is one that is 1. incapable of making a commitment to you and your child ( by running hither and thither) then you are quite right to ignore this person for the purposes of securing your supplementary income. 2. If this so called bf does not make a proper and regular contribution towards your upkeep then again you are right to discount this person. And thirdly, if he is a boozer and he is prone to spending all his money say on the dogs before he gets home, you are right also to discount him from your claim.
But don't go confessing anything. Go calmly and let them tell you what the problem is first. And if he is no longer with you just tell them that he is not reliable and you are better off without him and you wish to continue claiming as a single mother.
Do not be scared, remember it is not their money but our money.
2007-02-09 11:06:14 · answer #1 · answered by K. Marx iii 5 · 2⤊ 2⤋
There are only really two things you can do, and it sounds like one of them might not be an option.
1. You can talk to an attorney about it first. If you are so far in debt, however, this might not be a viable option. You can give it a try if possible, though.
2. Face up to the fact and tell them the truth. Be honest. Explain why you did it. Perhaps they'll give you a break. Maybe you can bring some support with you, a friend or family member, to help you get through it.
Good luck! It is a rough spot to be in. I'll say a little prayer for you.
2007-02-09 10:59:03 · answer #2 · answered by Mr. Taco 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Don't worry it may not be about this , they might just be doing routine checks, they do these at times ... but if it is about this just say u were seeing someone for a while but it didn't work out ... don't say he was living with u .. they have to have proof of this , if they have the proof then yes tell them the truth , if they do, they usually have photographic evidence and or letters he received while staying with u , yes they can intercept your mail, then all they will do is make u pay back any benefits u received for the period of time he was there including rent and council tax. They wont expect it all to be paid in one lump sum a small weekly amount would be expected ... just let this be a lesson to u and don't do it again !!
While i do pay my taxes we are all entitled to make mistakes .. u live and learn thats what life is all about ... Good luck !!
2007-02-09 11:12:45 · answer #3 · answered by jizzumonkey 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
it depends on how long you are with your bf.has he paid anything for you or your kids?If yes make a list of what was bought.if he bought his own food that does not count on your claim.If your bf works let them know however that wont cause any problems.It all counts on your income you have.Now if you two filed taxes together then that is a different story.You need to decide if you want your bf live with you and if you do you both should have separate accounts.have him buy food for him.if he pays anything keep a record.
Do not worry about it as long as this is your first time at this.Just learn from it.Remember to keep records they(dwp) like it.Much easier on both parties.
You might be able to classify him as a room mate.if he pays part of rent etc..
2007-02-09 12:57:30 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
First, wrong yeah right,
you did nothing wrong let he who etc
tell em exactly what happened
tell em you didn't know that would affect your benefit
as these days the rules are obscure and he didn't
provide you with squat anyway
and agree to pay a small stipend towards whatever they
impose if they impose anything anyway,,,,
it's not really a big deal,,,
so you might have made a mistake so what,,,
it's not quite a hanging offence yet
don't worry just do the above and you should be fine
2007-02-09 10:56:35 · answer #5 · answered by farshadowman 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Hi Nati,
A lot depends on the subject of the meeting and if you are to be questioned under caution.
If you are questioned under caution demand that a solicitor be there with you to represent you. They cannot refuse this. If they do then none of the evidence would be admissable in court unless you waived your right to legal representation.
If there is time before the interview and you know what it is about then talk to a solicitor before you go and ask him/her to be there for the interview.
2007-02-09 23:42:29 · answer #6 · answered by LYN W 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It doesn't matter whether bf or husband, both treated as partner. It may just be a routine check. Talk things over with a benefits advisor at your local CAB. It used to be, check that it is still so, that if he had an alternative address that he was paying council tax at, then that would be his place of residence and not your address. I know this has been used successfully in cases such as yours. Even if it is worst case scenario the CAB can help you negotiate repayments. Talk to them about debt advice as well. There is a way out of it.
2007-02-09 11:37:35 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
Just be honest. Dont be scared.
Explain your financial situation and that you are in debt and worried sick.. Apologise, admit you did wrong and i am sure that it will turn out all right in the end.
From what you described, you havent committed the crime of the century. Sounds like you have a lot to cope with and are worrying far too much.
2007-02-09 10:58:07 · answer #8 · answered by ? 2 · 4⤊ 0⤋
I would suggest not saying anything without an attorney or at least contacting one. This could definitely be turned into a criminal charge. In fact, I'd be surprised if it wasn't.
Many times, they know that you are receiving benefits you're not entitled to, but they wait until you received enough that it turns it into a felony level.
I'm not trying to scare you. Seriously though, contact an attorney and get advice. Whatever you say to your compliance officer will be considered a confession and can and will be used against you.
You'll have to probably pay back the amount you shouldn't have gotten. Take care.
2007-02-09 11:32:09 · answer #9 · answered by Lisa S 3 · 0⤊ 4⤋
sounds like someones reported you and they may have sat outside your house making notes of the comings and goings including your boyfriend aat the time
difficult to say really as you dont know how much they know
they might just ask you to pay some money back i dont know for sure
i would just tell the truth say hes gone and youre now on your own
2007-02-09 12:40:14 · answer #10 · answered by cazmo 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋