Had Benefit Fraud Interview Under Caution - What Now?

[bluebell56]

the investigator tried fobbing me off when i said i want the interview postponed till i get legal help, she said that im getting worried and confused over nothing (if its 'nothing y on earth are they going to so much trouble and pulling me in for an IUC???) so she was basically saying i dont need legal rep!!!! she said that this is just to establish whether or not an offence/fraud had been commited. of course i knew what her game was cos i had already read all the helpful advice every1s been posting on here. she agreed to postpone, she has to, cos the interview isnt mandatory (of course they give you the impression that it absolutely is). i requested my file about the case under the freedom of info act but she said she cant give it!!!!!!!! this IS wrong isn'nt it? how do i challenge that? anyway, things are looking a bit better cos we have found ourselves a solicitor and the appointment is next week, i'll let you know how it went. but the thing is they charge an awful lot, £500+ inc vat, and thats just for legal rep in ONE interview, so i guess i go alone? i dont really mind, i shall stick to my guns and wont let them trip me up. another thing that REALLY bothering me...cos my mum is illiterate she will need an interpreter, when the interpreter translates what the investigator is asking, s/he wont be able to say it in the exact same way the investigator asked it...r u with me so far? there WILL be differences between the 2 languages its inevitible but that can really make a huge difference and not in a good way, when my mum answers, the interpreter will translate to the investigators but once again s/he wont be able to say it in the exact same way my mum answered! i know its confusing but do u understand what im trying to explain? is there anything i can do?

final question- what are the requirements of legal aid?
we're not on IS or JSA, will we still get it? whats the eligibility criteria cos so far we've been told we cant get it but then when i checked online i found that we do fulfill thr criteria...do u know anything about it perhaps?

thanks for ur advice, its really helpful and i SHALL be taking it on board! erm...y should i not discuss it on here? do they check? if they do than they should know it was a genuine mistake...

[mcnobby2002]

if your mother is liable to incriminate herself then she should say nothing. given her circumstance no judge will hold it against her. you will not get legal aid for the interview.yes they do look at these forums.they are very fond of telling people that they don't need legal representation which is very close to the edge and may actually be an offence. when you write your statment for them make sure you include that info in the letter.you are entitled to your info thats what the freedom of info act is there for.

[abing69]

hi ,all really need some help sorry to start off like this but am kind of desperate.i split with my partner in 1998 is was a violent and abusive marrige i had no contact with him until june/july time this year .ive been sent a letter from the dwp saying they want to interveiw me under caution this friday the 17th as they suspect my ex of living here .my ex stays two to three times a week to help me with my son who has adhd and does not sleep and is violent towards me i put in a new claim in may as i was working and had to give up my job due to my sons behaviour.im not sure what to do as i dont always understand the forms as im not very educationally bright i would not willinly commit fraud but when i made my claim i was told that people could stay it was not a problem he does not fincially support me or my daughter or son my daughter is 19 at uni and my son is 12 me and my ex are going to get bk together this month and make another go of thing i dont know if i should tell the dwp this please advise me as am going to bits over this many thanks