Ex threatened to report me to DWP. Suddenly being investigated

[ElenOfTheWays]

Hi. Not entirely sure this is the right board but my ex who has been harassing me and my family made a threat to "shop" me to the DWP regarding disability benefits. I'm not claiming fraudulently but as far as I know they stop your money while they look into it and I can't afford that.

Today I got a letter saying they were reviewing my claim and they will be interviewing me at home. Not "under caution" and the letter doesn't seem particularly sinister, but surely this is beyond coincidence?

I've never had this before, so I don't know if this could be a random review or possibly triggered by myself contacting them to remove his name from my claim as an appointee. The timing seems suspicious though.

I have logged his other harassment with 101 just in case, but does anyone know anything about this? Would a report trigger this? It doesn't seem to be a serious investigation at the moment.

Thank you

Anyone? Wrong board maybe, or bad timing? Maybe I shouldn't have posted at the weekend

I wouldn't worry about it as long as your moneys not stopped.

Oh and he's an utter dickhead! You'll be given a chance to explain that to them I'm sure

A compliance review can be random. If they had serious concerns you would be invited to an IUC, so this could well be a coincidence.

Your payments will only be stopped if they believe there are sufficient grounds to reassess your eligibility. That would be after an investigation, not for during. At this stage you have no reason to be concerned.

Didn't see it earlier. I think it's only just appeared, so you might get some answers now. Can't help you myself, sorry.

I should clarify, by sufficient grounds I mean that they've interviewed you, gathered evidence and reviewed it, and then decided you don't meet the criteria. Payments would be stopped but you would have the right to appeal.

Although they are the cases you hear about, it actually happens in very few cases.

I think it is a bit too coincidental! I had a random review last year and they just asked me to send in extra paperwork - there was no at home interview.

However, since you've logged the threat then I would hope once you've explained they'll drop it. Have you got the threat written anywhere e.g. text/email or was it made verbally?

Hi. Thank you everyone. I feel a bit better
I do have the threat written down.

Fraud officer of 32 yrs here. Calm down and stop worrying. It's not a fraud interview they are always under caution. If we don't caution you then nothing you can be used in a prosecution.
I have ALSO been a visiting officer for disability benefits. A change or end of appointee will definitely prompt a visit. We have to see everyone who has or will have someone else controlling their money. Either to ensure that this is something they actually want and need or that the customer is capable of handling their own claim..

So please please stop worrying. Home visits are definitely not something we do in fraud unless it's 5am and there are a bunch of police officers with me !

fontofnoknowledge
Thank you. That's a great help. So it looks as if I probably did trigger this myself and they are just checking in with me.
I was a bit worried as I know he's perfectly capable of doing this, but I will try not to fret.
Thanks again.