Accidental benefit fraud. Shit.

[radiateforme]

I'm a lone parent receiving universal credit for childcare costs only. I live with a family member so can't claim housing costs. When I first claimed, I discussed that I owned a house with my ex, but left due to dv, restraining order in place, he still lived in the house with his daughter, I was desperately trying to force a sale and couldn't access the equity. It was discussed with an adviser and CAB that the house equity would be disregarded for these reasons and not to worry about it until the house is sold and I receive the equity, at which point I need to declare. On Friday, he's finally agreed to buy me out, so the first thing I've done is gone on to my universal credit account to put a note in my journal. I wanted to discuss what this meant for me. Clicked on my details and I've haven't declared the house! When it asked for savings details I've just put 'no'! I have no clue why and I have now spent the weekend freaking out that I've committed benefit fraud, am going to be in huge trouble, will need to pay 100% back etc. I don't even remember what my thinking was when I applied. I am in a state of panic. Does anyone know what will happen when I tell them what's happened?

Could it be that they changed it to 'no' after the discussion about the house being disregarded? I honestly cannot imagine why I would have put no. Other than I'm just a total idiot!

There was likely every chance as he was living there & it was DV situation he could hang on the the house. meaning you had no access to the house or the equity.

I would speak to them and refer back to the original conversation of (date or approx date) with (hopefully you noted the name)

@Ariela

There was likely every chance as he was living there & it was DV situation he could hang on the the house. meaning you had no access to the house or the equity.

I would speak to them and refer back to the original conversation of (date or approx date) with (hopefully you noted the name)

I have absolutely no idea who I spoke to as it was on their general helpline. Same with CAB but I'm going to see if they've got a record of my call.

Don't panic, just add a note to your journal staying that you had discussed I on the phone with an advisor on such and such a date and they had said it was disregarded due to DV. They should have a record of the conversation noted already. You didn't have access to anything and you have been upfront incl over the sale so I can't see how they would prosecute you for fraud.