Tax credit

[Help45]

I’m looking for help I posted on a old thread that was similar to my issue last night as I’m new to all of this.....I’ve got myself in bother and I’m going out of my head with worry..I’m being investigated for tax credit fraud and yes I have done wrong I know that but I’m feeling like my only way out is too end it all and spare my family and partner who all knew nothing the embarrassment that I’ve caused....my stomach is in knots I can’t afford a solicitor and I’m petrified I will go to prison or end up in court where everyone will find out about me I can’t bare that for my kids or family..I honestly feel ending it is the only option...help please

Listen OP.
You won't go to prison. Long as you're remorseful and honest with them. £20k is a lot of money but it's not 100ks, how did you commit fraud? Did you not update a single claim to a joint claim?
Are all your other benefits you claim on legit claims?

You won't go to prison, take that off the table in your head

They will phone between 1 and 2 tomorrow I brought the appointment forward as I didn’t want to wait til the 22/3/21.....I honestly can not cope I’m really struggling and I don’t know what to do I can’t get the silly thoughts out my head but I know this is all my fault I really do

Please confide in a trusted family member or friend

I’ve told my partner all about it now as he was in the dark but I’m so bad at opening up to people directly I just clam up when talking..,I can’t afford a lawyer,my family will hate me understandably so I’m a complete embarrassment to anyone

Like others have said, be honest. It feels all encompassing now but this won't last forever.

That’s the only benefit I claimed and I didn’t update from a single person to living with someone I’m so stupid I know it....but I’m so scared I really am

I don’t have any friends and I’m not good at talking to my family I’m not good at talking in person

I feel like it would be easier to end it all I really do

@Help45

Firstly you've admitted there's a problem and that's a big step

What time is your appointment tomorrow??

You could phone citizens advice beforehand perhaps?

Hi it’s a telephone appointment and I won’t be able to go to citizen advice before hand but I don’t know what to say to them how do I admit I’m a fool

@Help45

I feel like it would be easier to end it all I really do

That would just pass the burden onto your family though, not solve it. Hang on in there, it is unlikely to be as bad or as public as you fear. Are you already under mh support? Will your partner sit with you tomorrow? Are you able to offer a repayment plan?

Have you done any prep?
Have you got your papers all organised?

No I’m not getting mh support I can’t talk to doctors I really can’t I find them judgemental
I will be on my own tomorrow

What did your dp think/say when you told him?

Did your partner not wonder where you were getting your money from?

Do you have shared bank accounts, does he contribute towards the bills?

He was angry but he has been very supportive but I’m such a waste of space and the closer it gets to interview the worse I’m getting I am a emotional wreck and wonder how I could be so bloody stupid cause it was and I am

Can you find a mh helpline to call today? Write down your key points and dates for the call. The overpayment may not be as great as you fear.

We don’t share bank accounts he does contribute to the bills he pays all the big ones we have a lot of debt he assumed I was just living of my wage

I’m going to write it all down cause I will admit what I have done I’ve wanted too for a long time but I tend to bury my head in the sand I’ve got a lot of debt my partner doesn’t know about

If you have a lot pf debt try calling Stepchange to see how you can manage these more effectively. Your income will drop as a consequence of this, whatever tack DWP takes, so best to be proactive. Tomorrow's call is likely to only be the first, can you get legal aid?

Really sorry you are going through this, we are all here to listen anyway, tomorrow may well not be as bad as you expect, please update

Doing anything to harm yourself will make your partner's and your family's lives worse because it will mean they would have to grieve the loss of a loved one.

Would you prefer for a family member to have done something illegal but then take ownership of it and sort it out OR for them to die?

Please try to accept help from your partner / friends / family / stepchange / GP. There are resources that can help lessen the consequences of this but you need to seek them out and make the most of them.

@Help45 tax credits very rarely prosecute unlike dwp. On the very small chance that they do you would not get a custodial sentence.

I’m going to pay this all back and I will never ever ever be so stupid again that is a promise I just hate myself