Job Centre Customer Compliance Officers

[kara0811]

Sorry, I know this isn't really posted in the right place, but just wondered if anyone could help me?

I've been claiming Income Support since my husband left. A couple of weeks ago I attended my standard 'reintegration to work' interview which was fine, as I start my teachers training in Sep 09 when my dd starts school.

Today I have had a letter from the Job Centre stating that I need to see a Customer Compliance Officer, as they are reviewing the information they hold on my claim, and there may have been changes I haven't told them about.

I phoned them and they told me it was nothing to worry about, but I AM worried!!! My claim is 100% genuine. I don't work, I look after my 2 pre-schoolers, I have no other income, no other people living with me...

Does anyone know what this is about, and why I would need to see a compliance officer?

[Tinkerbel6]

Something has been flagged up, but as you say you have been told there is nothing to worry about, it could be that they have it noted down that you have already started the training and could have looked at it as 08 instead of 09, don't worry just go along to the interview, or call them up again and ask them to be more specific, it sometimes doesn't pay to tell them something until you do actually start doing something as often mistakes can be made.

[kara0811]

OK! It's crazy coz I have got myself in a bit of a state about it, even though (as far as I know!!) I have done nothing wrong!

It's not til next Fri as I couldn't make the first appt they gave me, so I have a week and a half to worry about it!

I might phone them tomorrow and see if I can make it any earlier!

[GypsyMoth]

kara,same thing happened to me.....it was a case of sour grapes with my ex when he found out i was dating a new man.told incoe support he had oved in with his,when he certainly hadn't. the info he'd given them was all completely wrong (guesswork) and it was actually quite funny. the officer could see it,for what it was,but said they were duty bound to investigate any reports anyway. could this be the case for you??

[Tinkerbel6]

Kara definately ring them this morning, its not fair for you to have to sit and worry yourself over something that is a misunderstanding, hope you are ok.

[kara0811]

I phoned yesterday morning, and spoke to a very nice lady. She asked me to read her the first few lines of the letter, and she then said they literally just check all the details of my claim to make sure nothing has changed. She said it will take between 15 and 30 minutes, and it's fine to take my 3 year old and 2 year old with me (I just thought if was serious they would want to see me alone!)

She also said not to worry!

I feel a bit calmer now, though am sure I'll be a bit nervous next Fri. This is the first time I've ever claimed benefits, and was a bit scared I'd done something wrong!

It's my 30th bday on Sat, so at least I can enjoy it without worrying now!!

Thanks for the advice ladies!

[KatieScarlett2833]

JCP Compliance Officers are part of the Counter Fraud Investigation Team. Some busy body has probably reported you for living together, working or other undeclared income. If none of these apply, you'll be fine.

[Tinkerbel6]

kara glad its nothing, its similar to what they do when they turn up on your doorstep to check your claim, although they have access to peoples claims so they know what someone is or not claiming so its more of a spot check, when you visit your lone parent advisor twice a year your claim is checked then, happy birthday for saturday, hope you are going out and doing something nice ?

[KatieScarlett2833]

Lone Parent Advisors don't check up on your benefit claim (I won't unless you ask!), only the info we are holding about you on LMS, i.e. names and ages of children, address, phone no's and how much rent and council tax you would have to pay if working so we can do a valid better off in work calculation.(KatieScarlett blushes pink at the thought of being perceived as a fraud officer).

[Tinkerbel6]

Yes as I said check your claim

[glitterstar88]

I had the same letter through a couple of months back, i phoned them up as the time they gave me was between 9am and 3pm for a visit so i needed to change it. The first thing i was told on the phone was not to worry they just have to check everyones claim every now and then. When the customer compliance officer came round he started asking about ex partner, as he seems to think somebody has said that he is still living with me. I told him it was most likely to be my neighbours giving the information as we hate each other, she has nothing to complain to anyone about me, but i have had to call police because of her behaviour etc. as she really is a vile person.

[danielle2009]

OMG i am scared shitless, can someone help ASAP as i have a COMPLIANCE INTERVIEW this monjday, the 6th of july, and i get JSA but i have moved houses and havent bothered to tell them and i claim housing benefit for my new house aswell, about 2 weeks ago i received a call from my housing benefit ppl in my new borough saying that my JSA are saying i live at a different address, i told them that i moved houses but hadnt informed them of it and they said ok that is fine as long as they have the correct address for me on their system and i problem should change my address with the JSA ppl to save any future confusions, it slipped my mind to do so, what should i do? And what would happen if it is about my non change of address, would i get in trouble? I need a quick answer plzzz anyone, THANKYOU

P.S then again it could be that which at my old address who's decided to try get one over on me, we live in the same building and she can open my letters and try something.

[danielle2009]

OMG i am scared shitless, can someone help ASAP as i have a COMPLIANCE INTERVIEW this monjday, the 6th of july, and i get JSA but i have moved houses and havent bothered to tell them and i claim housing benefit for my new house aswell, about 2 weeks ago i received a call from my housing benefit ppl in my new borough saying that my JSA are saying i live at a different address, i told them that i moved houses but hadnt informed them of it and they said ok that is fine as long as they have the correct address for me on their system and i problem should change my address with the JSA ppl to save any future confusions, it slipped my mind to do so, what should i do? And what would happen if it is about my non change of address, would i get in trouble? I need a quick answer plzzz anyone, THANKYOU

P.S then again it could be that which at my old address who's decided to try get one over on me, we live in the same building and she can open my letters and try something.

[jjajja]

sorry lady's i have had aletter 2 but i feel they r askin 4 alot did the as u to bring in ur child birth certificate, bank statements an prof of id????

[Takeresponsibility]

JJ

I don't understand text speak but from what I can make out it sounds like someone has alleged that you are not entitled to be claiming, either because you do not have a child you are claiming for, or are claiming under a false ID, or have other iuncome from a partner or job.

Just take the paperwork along and you'll be fine.

[DurhamDurham]

Just asked my dh as he works at a Job Centre + office and he says you have nothing to worry about. It could be for a number of reasons, checking some things in greater detail or just randomly spot checking claims.

[SusieC79]

I received a letter today from Job Centre asking to attend an interview to discuss my award for Income support alongside my requirements for receiving benefit. I have been asked to bring proof of identification and child benefit/child tax credits. I called them up to ask what is for and the guy said usually it's a compliance interview if they have received information about fraud etc! I became a single parent in April and my ex was still claiming for me after he moved out which I discovered in June when they stopped my IS payment so went through the correct channels to sort it out and I was told not to worry as he was the one receiving the money. I doubt it's to do with that as that was back in June but I don't work and have 3 kids aged 13,11 & 2 who I live with alone. I am worried about this, not because I have done wrong but the fact I have to take my children with me to the interview (as no childcare on saturday) and I don't know what will be said. Has anyone else had similar experience as this is all new to me and I've declared everything to them so there is nothing I forgot to mention but it seems like there is doubt I have children or that I am a lone parent. I only had my interview the week before last for help in returning to work which lasted nearly an hour so I am complying with all they request but know there must be more to this :(

[emma1005a]

Hi susiec79. Ive had the same letter today. Have you had your interview?do you know what its about xx

[AliceDoesntLiveHereAnymore]

I had one of these meetings recently. I was told that once you've been on income support for a year, it automatically flags up in their system to set up a meeting to make sure there have been no changes. It was a very brief and friendly/informal meeting and was done very quickly.

[SusieC79]

Hi Emma

It was a brief meeting and is apparent someone made an anonymous call about me (clearly malicious as I have nothing to hide) they saw my evidence, reminded me what is expected of me whilst claiming IS and that was that. What evidence are they asking from you Emma? Mine was child benefit and child tax credits although I know this information is already available to them so don't know what that achieved but I think it was just to record on file after the phone call they had.

Oh and I have only been claiming aimed April so the year theory doesn't apply here but that may be the case for some yes x

[Shadow0606]

Hi. I've recieved a compliance interview letter, I have a 3 month old baby & am a single mother. The letter tells me I have to take my past 5 payslips but I don't work?? I also have to take my tenancy agreement but I live with my mum...I'm so confused and worried as to why I have been asked to go

[BlackeyedSusan]

shaddow, you need to start your own thread so that people can see your question.

click on start new thread in this topic just above the add message box.