Compliance interview

[Anxiety123]

Good afternoon,

 

I'm looking for some help.

I haven't eaten or slept in 2 days.

 

I had a letter through the post for an interview for that next day but obviously I was so shaken I called to change it which is now for Monday. 

 

I have been utterly and completely stupid and up to my eyes of 20k of debt as well which I just buried my head in the sand...until now.

My eyes have been completely open.

 

I got married very quickly into a relationship after i fell pregnant within 3 months.

Im still not sure why but it happened.

I never changed my name, I didnt want too. 

 

The marriage was OK to begin with then started going down hill this was in 2015/16, in and out of our lifes. 

Life struggles I never got round to changing anything nor my claim. 

 

I received a letter wanting documents between 3 months of 2019 via telephone interview as they have links to said person to this address,

 

the husband was staying between houses but contributing to living for the kids,

i didnt see a reason to update,

he wasnt fully staying with me, possibly just being totally naïve.

 

From 2018 I should of being doing a joint claim,

I never ever didnt update intentionally,

I had several family struggles, money struggles, mental health struggles and everything inbetween,

I thought I could sort it all out but it just kept building up.

 

I am absolutely petrified im going to jail, like severely.

I have 3 children, work to provide and barely making ends meet.

Life just got in the way, which I know isn't an excuse.

 

Please give me some advice,

im in a really dark place and I just feel like im going yo crumble at any given moment. 

[honeybee13]

Hello and welcome to CAG.

 

We've never seen anyone from this forum go to prison and I don't think you will be either. 

 

You need to give HMRC [it is them and not the DWP is it?] all the information they ask for. Be honest and tell them what you've told us.

 

Also have a read of other threads on this forum about compliance. People come here feeling exactly the way you do and end up feeling so much better once they've dealt with it head on.

 

Best, HB

[Anxiety123]

Thank you so much for your response.

 

Honestly i have been physically sick. I know i did wrong but it was never intentional, it was always "oh il sort that next month" and im still sitting in the position now. 

 

The letter was from HMRC, doesnt say DWP anywhere on it. HMRC operations?

 

As i say I got married and never changed my name. Everything of mine is in my maiden name. I opened an account not long after we got married in my "new" name with the intention of getting a joint to put money away but then the debt started rolling in with loans/payday loans, the list is endless.

 

I have been reading your threads continuously which all of them have been reassuring. I keep thinking I cant be the only one who's been stupid for such a long period of time.

 

I feel such a fool. Im more than happy to pay the money back. Some documents I do not have to hand but I can get hold of them. 

 

Have you had experience yourself? Ive just never felt gut wrenching like it.

[Will Goodfellow]

It appears that you have an overpayment of tax credits owed to HMRC. It's extremely unlikely that you'll go to prison but you'll probably be expected to repay it. It will more then likely be deducted from any benefits which you receive now.

[Anxiety123]

Thank you for your response.

 

I am more than willing to pay it back with what i can afford.

I only receive TC and WTC, which will now be a joint claim but im not expecting anything to be honest and im happy with that 

 

I just feel like a complete mess and an absolute idiot for ignoring everything in my life and keep worrying ive ruined my life and having to leave my family behind.

 

I'm so close to an edge I dont want to be and its all my own fault, I will now never be using the term "il sort it next month". 

[Will Goodfellow]

As you still receive tax credits, they will be reduced to repay the debt, what percentage is deducted depends on your circumstances:

 

If you’re entitled to the maximum tax credits with no reduction due to income - 10%

 

If you’re getting Child Tax Credit or Working Tax Credit below the maximum and your total household income is £20,000 or less - 25%

 

If your total household income exceeds £20,000 - 50%

 

If you’re only getting the family element of Child Tax Credit - 100%

Edited September 12, 2020 by Will Goodfellow

[Anxiety123]

Thank you again for your response again.. My claim will need to be changed to joint, between 2 its just over 20k. As I say I fully understand and am prepared to pay it back as I shouldn't of had it in the first place. 

 

Im worried about the phone call, telling them my full story and being judged completely, like petrified.

I understand my issues isn't their problem and I should of claimed joint years ago as probably many other people should but I cant help but feel completely petrified of my life for my own stupidity

[honeybee13]

You're not stupid, a bit misguided maybe.  

 

There's no point beating yourself up all weekend over this, please try to draw the positive from all the threads here where people have gone ahead with the meeting and found a solution with the tax credit people. Come Monday, you'll feel just like they did.

 

HB

[Anxiety123]

I'm definitely stupid, not taking care with life.

 

Ok so I imagine when I tell them everything they will want all of my husbands details, pay etc (which won't be a problem) and then they will work out how much I will need to pay back, all I could think about is prison.

 

I know but I've had so many situations goinf around in my head but I know when I explain everything I hope to feel much better in sorting my life out. 

 

 

[dx100uk]

certainly not stupid, just human

 

there are as you've seen 100's of like threads here revolving around the same issues more or less.

can't state how important it is to be totally honest.

HMRC are not out to scam you, but, likewise, you need to make them prove their data and thus, their conclusions are backed by written data and is correct.

 

it wont hurt you to pop up on the HMRC website and find their SAR link via search

and send them one.

 

as for your debts.

don't forget any consumer credit debt is NOT a priority debt.

things like roof over head stuff like rent/mortgage/ctax etc are your top priority

along with then gas/electric.

the rest can wait!

 

poss start a new thread in the debt self help forum.

 

dx

 

 

[unclebulgaria67]

As others have said, don't worry about this, just provide HMRC with the information they require.

 

HMRC will deal with thousands of people every week, in pretty much the same circumstances as yours.  People are just not great in dealing with administration, with all of the normal life issues to deal with.

[Anxiety123]

Thank you for your comment.

I intend to be fully honest from start to finish, I worry then how they are going to react when I tell them all this information, I know I'm not a bad person and would never do anything intentionally .I just want it done with at the same time to maybe get part of this big cloud away from me.

 

Thanks for that, I feel like it is...over 20k hanging over my head, and for what, complete stupidity. 

 

Can i ask, do you know what the process would be after I tell them everything?

[unclebulgaria67]

They will recalculate your awards taking into account the information you provide and then write to you with the details.  I think you then have to contact them to discuss how you want to pay back any amount owed.  

[Anxiety123]

I really want to thank you all from the bottom of my heart, youve really made me slightly more calmer and felt like im not the only person who's been in this situation. I was just worried more about the time frame that would get me prosucted. 

 

I have ignored my beautiful chlidren and been sat in a corner rocking basically for the last 2 days, its funny how it takes something like this to give you a valuable life lesson.

[London1971]

Been there, done that, brought the T shirt. I didn’t go to jail, you won’t either.

[Anxiety123]

Thank you london1971, 

 

I really appreciate you commenting telling me that

[Anxiety123]

Well the day is fast approaching and 8ve never been so scared. I've got all the information I could plus awaiting some others. Plus all my husbands to backdate the claim. I am praying for an understanding voice at the other end of the phone 

[Will Goodfellow]

If it's an interview under caution you will be read your rights so it can seem quite official but it's a voluntary interview which you are giving. You're under no obligation to attend and can hang up at any time.

 

If you feel that HMRC has a good case, you can attend and try to mitigate. I'd suggest keeping quiet and listening to what is said at first. You can then decide to respond or not. If you do respond, address the points without disclosing information which could be used against you.  Don't expect a decision tomorrow as it might take some time. 

[Anxiety123]

Sorry im reallu confused about your comment? Now im absolutely petrified. I just want to tell the truth, decide to respond. At which points should I not respond? 

[Anxiety123]

Disclosing information to points used against me. Well i know what I did what extremely wrong, never intentional. I feel like this is now going down the prison route. Im all shaking now

[honeybee13]

Forget about prison, please.

 

Have they said it's an interview under caution? If not, it's a check on your tax credits. What time is the call?

 

HB

[Anxiety123]

No its a check on my tax credits, well I think. Says on the letter at the top "were reviewing you tax credits"  but then we have info about links to "mr" to your address? 

 

Between 11 and 12 she said 

[honeybee13]

In your position, I would be honest and just tell them what's happened, like you told us.

 

HB

[Anxiety123]

I intend on being really honest from start to finish. Im not looking for sympathy from them but maybe understand slightly. Im just a mum of 3 trying to hold it together. 

 

Im worried now if its under caution and I cant get my words out

[honeybee13]

I'd have thought they should let you know in advance if it's under caution.

 

From reading other threads here, the HMRC people aren't nasty. As I said, we haven't heard of them going to court, it's all done by deductions from future tax credits.

 

HB