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”

I couldn’t tell you if I’m honest. I have been IUC for fraud, after hearing nothing for so long I called the interviewing officer and he said they had decided an overpayment had been made and would write to me ASAP. The letter I got says its an overpayment due to me not telling them about someone moving into/out of my home, doesn’t give specifics. I have no idea what’s going on, sorry, I’m not being very helpful.

Hi, my income support has never been stopped. Housing and council tax benefit have been slightly hit and miss... As in they'll be stopped, I'll be asked for proof Im still getting income support, I'll provide it and they'll start paying it again a few weeks later.

I will thanks. Does anyone know if it goes to court every time you appeal? I’m so worried, if I appeal now and they say I have to pay it back will it not go against me when the rest of the decisions come through and I appeal them? I cant cope with this, how do people that are knowingly committing fraud ever sleep at night???

Hi all, just a quick update. I have now (finally) received a letter from the job centre saying that they have found I was overpaid for a (near) 4 week period (just before my first IUC) and I owe them just short of £200. I called the number that was on the letter to enquire into how they'd come to this decision and was told the decision was being dealt with in 2 half’s.... but they don’t know why (I’ve had a think and nothing at all happened in those last 3 weeks to make it any more/less important than the 1st 2 years) They said the decision I had received had been made in Nov 2010 (2 months before my 2nd interview) but the rest of the time was still pending decision. Do I go ahead and appeal this decision now or do I wait until my next decision comes through the door (remembering the last one took 5 months to be posted) I’m more worried than ever. I really cant take anymore. I’ve given up even trying to eat or sleep, I just sit on here all night reading anything I can find that sounds similar to my case. I have no idea what to do, I used to work in a prison and the thought of being left to rot in one scares the hell out of me. My parents are offering to re-mortgage their house in order to pay back all 2 years of money, its affecting my whole family. Please someone help me.

Thanks for all your help everyone, honestly I could not have got through without everyone’s replies. I’m going to speak to a solicitor ASAP and hopefully find out more about how much this overpayment is too (I need to know what I’m dealing with) I have to know what’s going on, I want to believe I'll be ok, but cant fight the thought I may end up in prison. I’m terrified. I’ve looked at many other cases and keep coming across people being made examples of. Does anyone know what I should expect when I go to court (I’ve given up on believing it could be an if) Will it be like you see on TV, standing in a dock, being questioned whilst a jury watch my every move? Also could anyone tell me if this will end up in the papers (I’m thinking the local news, not implying I’m important enough to be interesting to many folk) I just worry how this could affect my kids. I know my biggest fear should be, and is, not ending up in prison, but I also would like to know how to protect my kids from the backlash of this all. So far they know nothing (apart from my eldest telling my mum I never smile anymore, but we pass that off as me being tired as my youngest is a poor sleeper) but I don’t know how I could stop her knowing if I hit the papers. Oh god, this is all such a mess, I just want to run away. Any help and advice would be gratefully received.

Hi, I’ve now been for my 2nd interview and also had an interview at the local council (regarding HB and CTB) I have not received a decision as such (in writing) but have spoken to the interviewing officer from the DWP who has informed me a decision notice is on its way to me and I have been found guilty of fraud during the 2 years that my ex was of NFA. Could anyone tell me what happens next? I did ask at the council when I had my interview and she said as I’d been found guilty for a 2 year period that the amount I received in overpayment would be too high to be expected to pay it back and I would now be expected to go to court for them to make a decision on what happens next. Could someone please give me an honest answer (no matter how bad) so I can prepare myself (and arrange childcare for my children) Am I going to prison for this?? Please help, I’m beyond terrified. Many thanks

Hi, I’m hoping someone can help. I had an IUC in Sept as they thought my husband, who I split from in 2006 and I were living together. I explained that he'd been spending more time at my home recently due to my son being diagnosed with autism and would stay on Friday and Saturday nights to spend time with the kids (giving me a break) as he didn’t have anywhere to take the children to (he was, at the time NFA) It was then the turn of my ex to go in and we were both told a 2nd interview may be required. I was totally straight with every question and hoped they would see I was just in need of extra help with my son, nothing more. I didn’t hear anything for 10 weeks after the interview, my income support went unchanged, although my HB and CTB were both suspended. I have recently been invited to attend a 2nd interview (which Id expected) What’s confusing is why my ex hasn’t been. Is this a good sign or am I likely to walk in there to find I’m lined up to be prosecuted, regardless of being innocent and telling them everything in detail? Can someone please help, I’m so worried and dreading Tuesday.

Hi again, I have finally managed to talk to the right person at the council today (every time I contacted them I was informed it was the fraud investigators I needed not the benefits section) They have told me they have looked on file and are unable to reinstate my benefits until my IS has been reinstated (I hadn’t even been made aware that it had been stopped) What do I do now? I have some money to tide me over.... my sons back payment of DLA (which I was hoping to save to take him on holiday) but it is only £400 and with my rent and council tax being nearly £100 a week I know by the end of the month I’m going to be behind on everything. Any advice on what I can do next would be fantastic. I have spoken to my ex and he hasn’t any paper work to help (as he was staying at different family members homes) but has mail going to his mothers address, my mothers address and my address. He has recently found a room to rent local to me which all his bills will be going to, but I have now been accused of arranging this as we'd been caught (during the IUC, as I said I have heard nothing since then) I pay everything in this house, the rent and council tax were covered by benefits, but water was paid out of my IS, the gas, electric and TV licence are in my name but they are still convinced he lives here. I’m so worried, I have a work focused interview on Thursday, but am embarrassed about going knowing I'll be sitting there with them thinking I’m a criminal. Please help, many thanks.

Thanks again, I don’t have the notice but will contact them and enquire. I have contacted the bank and checked dates all benefits were made. According to the letter the council sent HA and CTB were both stopped on the 30th Sept (my IUC was on 29th Sept) yet I was still paid IS on 1st Oct. I have all the shown on a bank statement so will show the council and hopefully get it all sorted. I’ve not received any letters from the council asking me to attend any form of IUC with them so have to assume they have stopped HB and CTB due to the IUC I had with the jobcentre. Hopefully they will give me any answers either way and settle this before I end up oweing them hundreds of pounds in arrears.

Thanks so much, that’s really helpful. The stupid thing is that although the jobcentre has notified the local council of the investigation (causing them to suspend my claim) The jobcentre hasn’t (as yet) suspended my IS. I'll get onto the council Monday morning and hopefully get it sorted ASAP. Thanks again for all your help.