Holy crap, I am being interviewed for benefit fraud. Please don't give me too hard a time, really need some advice

[WoollyMittens]

I've just received a letter from housing benefit, asking me to attend an interview to be taped and conducted under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984.
I am absolutely horrifed.

My HB claim was reviewed in September, and it transpired that because I had been receiving Working Tax Credit - notified in June - my benefit was going to reduce. I had had no idea that the two things affected each other. I now realise this was incredibly short sighted and ignorant, but it was a genuine lack of understanding on my part. I'm fairly new to claiming benefits).

Anyway, the person who did the review was quite understanding about it all, the claim was recalculated, and I'm now paying back the overpayment. Fair enough, and I thought that was that.

Are they really going to prosecute me? Can anyone tell me what I need to do and what is likely to happen?

I am already beating myself up about this and am really very scared and upset. While I realise some may want to give me a flaming - and I'll take it on the chin - I would really, really appreciate some strightforward advice.

Thanks

Okay do you have a partner/boyfriend who may appear to others that stays over a lot/lives with you when you are claiming as a single person?

It may just be standard to interview you even though the matter has been discussed?

May be a good idea to ask CAB.

How long ago did you make your first application for HB?

Write out a calendar of events. Did anyone advise you to submit an application for HB?

thanks for the replies.

No, don't have anyone staying over. First HB application was December 09.

I've just spoken to the Council's investigation officer to change the time of the appointment. He said they are very unlikely to prosecute me, more likely to be a warning letter or something quite low level, He was very reassuring, actually, told me not to lose any sleep, and was generally quite kindly and sweet. Nevertheless, he said he's obliged to interview me under caution

Clearly they are just following rules, do as he says and try not to lose sleep over it especially as it's already been sorted and you're repaying the overpayment. They are far more interested in sorting out deliberate benefit fraud but they have to be even in their treatment of claimants otherwise people could probably shout discrimination and bullying or some such nonsense.

Go to see a solicitor. Quicker and more specialised than CAB. A defence solicitor can attend the intervew, go through the info with you in private and advise you what's best to do. And provide you with some support. It may well be free depending on your circumstances, my firm attends interviews like this all the time.

It sounds very unlikely to me that you will be prosecuted.