interview under caution - nobody there

[sorrylittlelot]

hi all,

 

 

quick question, I got a letter asking me to attend said interview, from what I gathered over the phone its about when I was on jca and doing a part time college course (I think I didn't put my student loan down as income)

 

 

this was almost 2 years ago and im not stressing about it. Anyway my question -

 

 

I attend the interview (at my local council building as it was a Saturday) but the place was locked, no lights on 9i took photos) and nobody there so what should I do? as I don't want to get punished for non attendance

 

 

cheers guys

[Guest]

I am surprised it was for a Saturday?......maybe there was an error with the date on the letter. I would ring them first thing today at the number on the letter and explain. Its probably the wrong date been put on the letter.

[sorrylittlelot]

Its because i work mon to fri so i agreed to a saturday one, its a bit shoddy, the letter tells you get advice but yet gives no details as to what you will be asked about etc so how can you be advised lol

[Shoelover]

Perhaps you could email the investigator?

 

Although you are not penalised for not attending, if you don't they would just go ahead without you having your say.

[obiter dictum]

i am starting to panic now. Do you have to put down you are in receipt of a student loan to the benefits agency?. My student loan was paid direct to the Open University, i never had it as income. Sorry if going off topic

[id6052]

i am starting to panic now. Do you have to put down you are in receipt of a student loan to the benefits agency?. My student loan was paid direct to the Open University, i never had it as income. Sorry if going off topic

 

some types of student income affect benefits, most commonly maintenance loans or grants

 

if you only received a loan to cover your course fees, this would not affect your benefits

[sorrylittlelot]

Well today I got a letter sent to me at work, no mention of the last interview. Just a basic letter asking me to attend an interview, its exactly the same as the last letter but with a different interview date.

 

 

Can I request more info from them as how am I expected to get advice/put a defence together when they give no details

[antone]

Well today I got a letter sent to me at work, no mention of the last interview. Just a basic letter asking me to attend an interview, its exactly the same as the last letter but with a different interview date.

 

 

Can I request more info from them as how am I expected to get advice/put a defence together when they give no details

 

You can write to them and ask, but they probably won't tell you anything. Your best bet would be to contact a solicitor experienced in benefit matters and ask for his or her assistance. The DWP might disclose more information to them. You can also ask the DWP for more time while you seek legal advice if the interview is very soon.

[sorrylittlelot]

Just confuses me how it says i will be given one opputunity to attend an interview yet this is the second appointmen they have made

[antone]

Just confuses me how it says i will be given one opputunity to attend an interview yet this is the second appointmen they have made

 

Well, the first time wasn't really an "opportunity" - you didn't have the option of attending an interview and putting your case since there was no-one there.

 

Would have been nice if they'd written to you to apologise for the mistake, but that's probably too much to hope for.

[SabreSheep]

Letter sent to work??

 

Is this right?

 

can you remove the personal data and post the letter up.

[Shoelover]

They will tell you in very loose terms what the allegation is. However, if you have legal rep at the interview they can ask for advanced disclosure. This usually takes place straight before the interview, then you get to have a chat with your solicitor ahead of the interview.

 

Sounds as if it's a standerd IUC letter- do they think you have moved house?