Advice needed on housing benefit interview please

[twinmummy]

I understand that's why I'm here, but I always think of the worst case as that way things can only get better I mean if it says I need to go to court, how long does it take?, what if I am on honeymoon and miss it!

[mikeymack2002]

You are welcome, just to remind you of this as well, if I mean if the LA do want to take this to Court you MUST seek legal advice IMMEDIATELY the moment you know.

[twinmummy]

I am already asking for legal advise from a solicitor, I guess I'm in need of them to keep me a little hopefull,as I'm making myself I'll and causing heartache to my fiance

[mikeymack2002]

If you have a Court date you MUST NOT fail to attend without good cause or notice to the Court, this regardless if you are on honeymoon, you are obliged to attend, failure to do so could see a bench warrant issued for your arrest for non attendance.

 

 

Again this is advice a Solicitor would tell you this anyway.

[twinmummy]

Oh gosh ofcourse what I meant what if I'm away and a letter comes and I miss it

[mikeymack2002]

If you are away when it arrives then that is different, you will have ticket receipts and things to prove you were out of the country.

[mikeymack2002]

twinmummy

 

 

I am known on the forums for being brutal and honest with my replies and sometimes, I upset the poster of the thread, it depends if you want the brutal truth or just a fancy acceptable answer it would help if you could answer that..

[twinmummy]

Good point yes that's ok then, I need to stop googling I don't think it helps as like it's been said it's different for everyone

[mikeymack2002]

Yes it is, there is no point in conjecture at this time, putting all this worry on yourself will do you no favours will it? NO!! So take a deep breath and walk away from this for a day or two, just so you can relax a little.

[twinmummy]

thank you i know your right!!

[sadone]

twinmummy

 

 

I am known on the forums for being brutal and honest with my replies and sometimes, I upset the poster of the thread, it depends if you want the brutal truth or just a fancy acceptable answer it would help if you could answer that..

 

 

Just to add my two pennies worth dare I say it would help matters a tad If you didn't keep posting parts of your comments in bold/upper case, which comes across (to me at least) as shouting and so a wee bit aggressive sometimes. Just taking it a little gentler would help things.

 

People want sensible advise, and not being scared to death at this early stage imo.

[twinmummy]

Did I.... Sorry? Never meant to! Think it's my phone

[sadone]

Did I.... Sorry? Never meant to! Think it's my phone

 

Sorry, I'm not aiming my comment to you but to mikeymack2002. You come across as just lovely.

[twinmummy]

Oh I see, can't think straight now I can't read, :/

[id6052]

most people who commit benefit fraud do not go to prison, as this is normally reserved for the most serious cases

 

there are a number of things that could happen

1. the council may simply ask you to repay the overpayment
   
2. the council may apply an official caution - they can only do this if you admit the offence
   
3. the council may apply a penalty - you do not have to plead guilty to accept a penalty - this is similar to an additional fine that you have to pay back as well as the overpayment
   
4. the council may decide to prosecute - this means they take you to court - there are a wide range of possible sentences that you could receive - the vast majority do not involve prison
   

 

the best advice that can be offered is to seek professional legal advice from a soliciitor who specialises in social security - nobody here can advise you about how long this matter could take to deal with as it will depend upon complexity of case, caseload at your local Council, caseload at your local courts

 

at this moment in time you need to try not to get yourself upset - i would advise not reading about other cases and their outcomes as each case is individual, you just run the risk of upsetting and worrying yourself

 

we all make mistakes in life - a good thing is that it is better that you came clean now, rather than in another 4 or 5 years, when the amount you owe might have doubled

[mikeymack2002]

Just to add my two pennies worth dare I say it would help matters a tad If you didn't keep posting parts of your comments in bold/upper case, which comes across (to me at least) as shouting and so a wee bit aggressive sometimes. Just taking it a little gentler would help things.

 

People want sensible advise, and not being scared to death at this early stage imo.

 

 

Not shouting in the least. It is making the point that posters time and again forget that they don't always see what is clearly being said, it is used to draw attention to a point of fact or to show clearly what is being said.

 

 

Often repeating over several posts and still not being understood. But when in bold your eyes are drawn to these "words" and then it is understood. These are keywords for the poster, it is used often in many documents for this reason. Also it allows them to see the "word" clearer. Also CAG has key words that automatically link to the library or other things like quotes, so it is not necessarily me but the system as in the post above if you hover over it or click it you will see its actually a link with further information relevant to that word. Just pointing out the obvious if you hadn't noticed by the way?

 

 

I have all the time in the world so to speak for posters on any forum. But sometimes as stated it takes a bit more for the point to be taken. BTW no offence taken.

[sadone]

I have to say other posters /mods manage to get their point/info across without the bold and upper case, so imo it's not always needed.

 

But maybe thats just me.

[mikeymack2002]

Type in the word library see what happens, for me its all normal until I hit post then hit f5 see it change ok

[antone]

If the complaint is that Mikeymack is bolding the word "overpayment", that's not something he has any control over. The forum software automatically makes that word into a link and bolds it by default - there's nothing an individual poster can do to prevent it. The same is true of a number of other words, such as "contribution".

[twinmummy]

most people who commit benefit fraud do not go to prison, as this is normally reserved for the most serious cases

 

there are a number of things that could happen

1. the council may simply ask you to repay the overpayment
   
2. the council may apply an official caution - they can only do this if you admit the offence
   
3. the council may apply a penalty - you do not have to plead guilty to accept a penalty - this is similar to an additional fine that you have to pay back as well as the overpayment
   
4. the council may decide to prosecute - this means they take you to court - there are a wide range of possible sentences that you could receive - the vast majority do not involve prison
   

 

the best advice that can be offered is to seek professional legal advice from a soliciitor who specialises in social security - nobody here can advise you about how long this matter could take to deal with as it will depend upon complexity of case, caseload at your local Council, caseload at your local courts

 

at this moment in time you need to try not to get yourself upset - i would advise not reading about other cases and their outcomes as each case is individual, you just run the risk of upsetting and worrying yourself

 

we all make mistakes in life - a good thing is that it is better that you came clean now, rather than in another 4 or 5 years, when the amount you owe might have doubled

 

Wish i read this last night i may have slept a bit will let you all know the outcome as may help someone else in a similar situation

thanks you all really has helped not feel so alone and believe me i will be double cheaking everything in future

[sadone]

If the complaint is that Mikeymack is bolding the word "overpayment", that's not something he has any control over. The forum software automatically makes that word into a link and bolds it by default - there's nothing an individual poster can do to prevent it. The same is true of a number of other words, such as "contribution".

 

 

No It's not that. I suggest you go back and read his previous posts to see what I mean.

 

*eta* I think he's adjusted that now.

[id6052]

No It's not that. I suggest you go back and read his previous posts to see what I mean.

 

*eta* I think he's adjusted that now.

 

Hi Sadone

 

I understand what you mean from looking back at posts 9, 15, 27 & 29, I think mikeymack was just trying to place emphasis on some words as most people do when talking to people face to face, but can be lost in online or written communications.

 

Different people use different methods to place emphasis.

 

It is normal convention online that the use of capitals indicates shouting and I generally perceive use of uppercase as shouting/aggressive, so I fully understand where you are coming from, but I honestly do not think that was mikeymack's intention.

 

Personally, I find underlining or use of bold to be less aggressive than uppercase.

 

But I think it is important that we try to keep the thread on track.

[id6052]

Wish i read this last night i may have slept a bit will let you all know the outcome as may help someone else in a similar situation

thanks you all really has helped not feel so alone and believe me i will be double cheaking everything in future

 

I know it is difficult playing the waiting game, but you need to just do your best to allow life to go on, and focus on the things you need to.

 

There is no point in worrying about what has happened, as that will not change what has already happened

[twinmummy]

im trying to start a new post but cant work out how what im asking is im still awaiting a response from this benefit fraud investigation, i was told if i get a date and its on my wedding day /honeymoon i have to cancell the day/honeymoon

would wedding insurance cover something like that as allt he sites i have asked are very vague with no straight answers :(

[honeybee13]

Hello there. If you're writing about the same problem, it's better not to start a new thread and to keep the information together for the people advising you.

 

For info though, if you scroll up to the top of this page, just above the name of the forum on the left, there is a blue box that says + Post New Thread in white.

 

HB