Informing DWP of changes - when?

[Nystagmite]

Not too sure on that one. Will find out on Friday. But I assume it would be the Friday. Or possibly the Monday. I have a vague idea (someone please correct me if I'm wrong) that I can't claim HB until the Monday?

[SabreSheep]

As you will require to give them a copy of yor new tennancy the date will be the date on the agreement.

[Lapsed Workaholic]

As far as I know anyone on DWP benefits has to inform DWP immediately or as soon as possible after a change of circumstances, and change of address is considered a change of circumstances.

 

As for housing benefit; the claimant makes an application to the local council stating the date on which rent begins to be payable. When and if the claim for HB is accepted the rent will be paid from the date on which it was stated as beginning from.

[Shoelover]

You can apply for HB now.. As long as you make it clear that your rent liability commences on the day you move in.

 

Hope you are happy in your new home

[id6052]

personally, i would say the date of your move is that the date you start sleeping overnight at the new address

[Nystagmite]

I understand that, from reading posts on this forum, these are random checks, rather than DWP suspecting I've done something wrong. So no concerns there.

 

Some questions:

Are these interviews held in a private room? I have issues with my hearing and speech. If there's other noise around, (such as others talking, telephones, etc) I can't hear clearly. A lot of people also find it hard to understand my speech. This is made harder by background noise.

 

Am I allowed a person in the interview with me?

 

Thank you

[antone]

I'm not sure if they're held in a private room as a matter of course, but you should be able to request this as a reasonable accomodation of your condition. Are you able to contact them in advance and advise them of the situation? I think most Compliance Officers would understand the necessity in the circumstances.

 

You can take a companion to the interview with you, yes.

[Nystagmite]

Thank you

[Ros1609]

Mine was in a private room

[Shoelover]

You can request a private room - if you need one it may be an idea to ring in advance and ask. Purely so they can book a room if needs be so you don't have to wait for one.

[telemark]

Mine was in a private room at the back of my local Jobcentre.

[Sick1]

Mine was in a quiet room. they will be recording the interview so don't have background noise to distract them and there should be no distractions from other staff/telephones either. My compliance officer was not at all nasty, a bit formal, I suppose. She helped me back to my car carrying my medical equipment for me. The only thing I would say is that it can get to your brain a bit and send you spiralling downwards if you dwell on it.

 

 

Good luck.

[Shoelover]

Compliance interviews are not recorded. Only IUC's conducted by fraud investigators are taped.

[alpo287]

I've had 2 or 3 of these and every time it was about being suspected of doing something wrong: working and not signing off, still claiming while working, working as self-employed while not telling them etc etc. Mine were held in a part of the Jobcentre that looked like a visiting room in jail.

 

I have read that these are just for random checks and nothing to worry about but each one I have had through has been for suspicion of some wrongdoing. I have never had a 'random check up' yet.

[antone]

I've had 2 or 3 of these and every time it was about being suspected of doing something wrong: working and not signing off, still claiming while working, working as self-employed while not telling them etc etc. Mine were held in a part of the Jobcentre that looked like a visiting room in jail.

 

I have read that these are just for random checks and nothing to worry about but each one I have had through has been for suspicion of some wrongdoing. I have never had a 'random check up' yet.

 

Some of them are indeed random. There are also some cases where there's been a report of some kind of fraud that the DWP isn't really taking seriously. If they really thought you were up to something it would be the fraud investigators, not Compliance, who would be dealing with it.

[Nystagmite]

If it makes any difference, my letter tells me to attend because:

"your circumstances may have changed and we want to ensure your payments are correct".

[Mr.P]

If it makes any difference, my letter tells me to attend because:

"your circumstances may have changed and we want to ensure your payments are correct".

 

If I remember correctly, you recently moved in to accommodation better suited to your needs ?

 

The DWP probably just want to check a few details and update their records. As we have seen many times in the past with other posters, a compliance interview is not something to worry about. They might even tell you about other benefits that you are entitled to.

[Nystagmite]

Yes, indeed I have not that long moved.

[Sick1]

Shoelover, must be my mistake then. I was under the assumption that the compliance interview was recorded.

[Shoelover]

Shoelover, must be my mistake then. I was under the assumption that the compliance interview was recorded.

 

No.. Were you read a caution?

[Nystagmite]

I've finally had a chance to speak to DWP. I can't believe how unsympathetic they were. I've spent the last few days ill. (I've got a long term illness which comes and goes) She wasn't too happy that I may not be able to attend just in case I'm ill.

 

I was told I can have someone with me and I need to tell security when we come in. All interviews are done in private.

[obiter dictum]

Have a nose at this with my own meeting with the compliance dept. It really is nothing to worry about and as stated, it is matters brought to their attention they do not think worthy of time and effort

 

http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?425374-Just-had-a-DWP-compliance-meeting

[Chester6]

I've finally had a chance to speak to DWP. I can't believe how unsympathetic they were. I've spent the last few days ill. (I've got a long term illness which comes and goes) She wasn't too happy that I may not be able to attend just in case I'm ill.

 

I was told I can have someone with me and I need to tell security when we come in. All interviews are done in private.

Sadly that's to be expected as sympathy isn't one of their strong points now

They expect people to leap to their command and obey without question

Good luck and I hope it'll be fine

[Nystagmite]

It turns out someone has reported me for fraud. Apparently, I'm not as disabled as I claim to be. (you can't see the issues I have. Although, the dark glasses might be a give away) And there was something about how I supposedly don't live where I claim to live. With the exception of a few things, (the joys of a non-working intercom for some months) all my mail comes to mine. I was then asked about the other people who live at the same address as I do, due to claiming SDP. (I live in a 3 floor flat)

 

I was told the allegation was made in April. Because they didn't see it as anythng overly serious, (ie, they didn't believe I was actually doing anything wrong) it was compliance.

[honeybee13]

That's disappointing, Nystagmite, that someone should have reported you. It's like a mental illness I suppose, which I know more about; if people can't see what's wrong, they can assume that you're fine.

 

So is that the end of it?

 

HB