Hi again... looking for a bit of advice on changing my court date. I was sent a form regarding any dates I couldn’t attend the tribunal and stated that I couldn’t go on a certain date, only 1 week was listed, I didn’t try (like I’ve heard others have) to list all my kids birthdays, my birthday, the dogs funeral and the hamsters cage cleaning day, it was just one week, when my kids are on half term and I wanted to take them away as its the closest (and cheapest) date to my eldest child’s birthday... and something we've done nearly every other year (money allowing) I’ve had my court date through today and its been booked for one of the days I’ve stated. I know they see me as being in the wrong and probably don’t care about my holiday but I’ve tried so hard to get the money for this, taking out loans and living off of thin air to get to a point where we can have (maybe) one last holiday together. I do understand that there are people on here working all hours god sends and cant afford a holiday and are probably rolling their eyes in my direction right now, but I’m worried I might not be around if this all goes wrong and want to be there to see the first time my youngest sees the sea and plays on the fair. Is there no way I can change the date?? As I said I know this might seem like nothing in the grand scheme of things, but its really important to me. Thanks for reading my moan, any comments would be great.

I know your right, the person I spoke to at CAB said the same thing. The really stupid thing is that after me telling him everything I could possible think of he actually gave me a form and said once this is over would you call this number and talk to someone about working here - That really gave me the boost into thinking that once I got to the interview they would take the same attitude towards me. Unfortunately looking at the way I came across and the way they’ve spoken about me, I look guilty as sin. If only it hadn’t been for the person that interviewed me at the jobcentre I’d be fine. I know that sounds a bit like a murderer saying if only it wasn’t for DNA id be fine, but it really feels like without the person that interviewed me being so good cop/bad cop all rolled into one I really think I’d have done fine. The person that did the IUC at the council was a totally different story, they asked questions and listened to what I had to say even wishing me look as I left. I keep trying to push this to the front of my mind, but it just wont take the place of the thought that I could one day (soon) find myself behind bars.

Ok, that makes slightly more sense to me now, although even the simplest of things seem to be confusing my mashed up head at the minute. I thinks what’s so annoying is that I said repeatedly that if I’ve done something wrong I’m sorry, if he’s helped too often I apologise and how do I fix it. They said about him moving back in and I’m quoted as saying “I need the help with the kids but I couldn’t live with him 24/7” I’ve made it so clear that although I accept he maybe helped too much he never moved back in, but they just don’t seem content with this. Its actually gone further than my life now, they’re effecting my kids. Ignoring the fact they’ve got a stressed out mum that keep bursting into tears and refuses to unpack boxes (we moved in Dec) because I’m sure I’m going to prison for this, they now only have a weekend dad. Unless I’m ill and cant manage or the kids are ill and asking for him he refuses point blank to come and help with anything through the week. Even down to one of our children having a specialist appointment in a months time, he says if they know he’s there then they’ll say its as good as us being together. They’ve taken everything from my kids for the sake of me having too much help (which I’ve admitted to and asked to be given the chance to fix - which they wouldn’t help me do) Sorry about the rant, but I just don’t see why they cant help me sort things out, why are they so hell bent on stitching me up!?

Hi, thanks so, so much for that Leemack. I’ll be sure to get started straight away. Is it possible that anybody could explain how they can make a decision, send out the decision notice and it be going to appeal but they can withhold information as it’s an “ongoing investigation” I thought once this part of it was over (whatever the outcome may be) I’d be left alone. Is this not going to be the case? Many thanks to all again.

I hope your right jadeybags, to say I’m bricking it is an understatement!!!

So far jadeybags I’ve been for 3 IUC (2 at DWP and one at the council, as the man from the DWP didn’t give the woman from the council enough time to ask her questions) I’ve had a decision letter saying they think I’ve committed fraud and owe thousands back, my solicitor is helping me to appeal (but has said worst case scenario is I could go to prison) I’ve now gotten all of the paperwork they are sending into the appeals service and am trying to sort out anything I should be sending in. Think that’s about it Hun

Thanks so much for your help. Its does ask if I have any further evidence to enclose, would this be where I’d attach the statement you’ve mentioned? You say to answer any evidence they have, they only have a few face book entries that they told me about during the IUC. I couldn’t answer why I’d made the comments at the time (but after going home and checking to find out the date) it became quite obvious to me, can I include this? Also they have said they have surveillance, but have not given me the dates and times of this and only disclosed 3 consecutive days to my solicitor just before the IUC. The rest of their “evidence” is letter to my address, but he has post going all over the place, is it worth me pointing this out? That’s all the evidence they have, apart for the fact he was NFA, but then he has letters from people who have given him somewhere to stay (they have also attended an interview with the DWP to confirm they wrote the letters and answer any further questions) Any help you could give me on what to write in the statement would be fantastic, I may be fine chatting on here, but I was a mess in that interview and looking at the transcripts even I’m convinced I’m guilty. Thanks again, your really dont know how much everyone's help means to me.

Well got my appeal letters though today showing everything that’s being sent to the appeal department and to be honest looking at that I’d say I was guilty, if I didn’t know I wasn’t. There’s lots of bits that are in-auditable and then they’ve made a list of bullet points on why they think I’m guilty, including that it took so long to get statements off of people he lived with when he was of NFA. Also they’ve said they have other evidence but will not be providing it to me as its an ongoing fraud case…. I do not understand why this is as the time span they keep referring back to finished last year. I’m even more confused that I was when it all started. Judging by this I think I can kiss goodbye to my freedom, I’ll try and keep you all posted as best as I can, but if I disappear from here in the near future feel free to assume the worst. Thanks for everyone’s help, it’s a great site, with a fantastic bunch of people.

Hi, just a quick question (if anybody can help, it’d be great) I appealed the decision that was made following my IUC and wondered if anyone knows what happens next. Do I get called to another meeting or does somebody else just look though all the proof I’ve sent in and make a decision based on that? I really have no clue, anything anyone could tell me would be great as I appealed in April and have heard noting since. Many thanks.

Thanks Jadeybags, Im going to need all the luck I can get, Hoping the appeal will at least bring me slightly closer to an end (good or bad) I need this to be over, its been going on far too long and is making me ill

Well I’ve spoken to my solicitor and he’s informed me that prison could well be on the cards, not what I wanted to hear!!! Still I’ve asked him to help me appeal, which of course he’s happy to do and the letters have gone off. I’ve had one reply saying that they’ve looked into the decision and nothings changed so they’ll prepare for appeal and notify us of the date when they know it. There has also been 2 statements given to the DWP from people my ex stayed with whilst he was of NFA. It doesn’t cover the whole time, but a good part of it. I’m trying to stay positive and not let this effect my children, but its becoming harder by the day. I’m terrified my solicitor has given up and accepted I’m going to prison, or maybe preparing me for the worst (either way it feels awful) Please someone help me, I’m worried the only light at the end of this tunnel is an oncoming train

Hi again, Just an update really…. I’ve had all my decision letters back now and (of course) am appealing them all (god only knows how long that could take) None of the letters themselves say you committed fraud now pay up, but they do say I’ve been overpaid and will need to pay back all the money that’s owed (near £20,000) in instalments. I don’t know if that’s a good thing (it doesn’t say fraud) or a bad thing (they obviously think I’m in the wrong) but at least I have something to appeal against now. I have also spoken to my ex who has said that two of the people he stayed with have been in touch with the job centre and confirmed he stayed with them for at least some of the time that’s being questioned, I can only hope that helps. Does anybody know what happens next? I understand how to appeal (and have written in via solicitor to do so) but where does it go from here? Thanks again for everyone’s help

Glad it all worked out for you in the end Jadeybags, its such a stressful thing to go through. Hearing about any happy endings (weather simular to my case or not) is always nice. Good luck in the future.

Thank you so much for your help (everyone on here) I’m sorry I’m so clueless, I know it must be frustrating me asking a question then double checking the answer with you, but this has really knocked my confidence and got me questioning everything I say and do.

Should I get on and do this now (with the one letter I had) as you stated earlier and then wait on any others and repeat this every time? I’ve checked on the letter and nowhere does it use the actual word “fraud” only “overpayment”