Really worried - been called for an "interview under caution"

[anonandon]

Dh and I have been claiming HB/Council tax benefit for about a year now, today I received a letter saying that during a review "a discrepancy in your entitlement was identified", "in particular, your capital which exceeds £16,000" . The only thing I can think of is relating to a property we sold in 2005 but there is nothing left from that - I stupidly got into a lot of cc debt and very scarily, the remaining money didn't last very long and it did go through my account which is probably why it is only me that's being called up. We had to fork out for a new car and paid rent with it. We did have a few shares but I'm very certain they were sold too (organization isn't my strong point either )
I'm being asked to bring documentation relating to every bank/building society/shares account that I hold. I don't have anything to hide, but I'm so scared that they're going to drag something up that I'm totally unaware of . (I know it's no joking matter but I'd be grateful if they have found I've got £16,000 of assets!)

Any advice please, I've never been in a situation like this - I haven't even ever had a parking ticket.

Do you earn more than £16 pa between you?

No, I'm a SAHM and although dh works full time he earns well under that.

What happens if I have missed something? God, I'm so scared .

toldyouso - I know but I can print off a whole rainforest of statements that show bankers drafts to letting agents etc - I can probably also dredge up paperwork from the bank that shows the consolidation of my debts.

If you have declared all your income and capital then you have nothing to worry about. They will go through all the things they have found regarding the discrepancies and you will be given the chance to explain them. There is a good chance they have found out about your house sale back in 2005 and want to know what the money was spent on etc.

Just because you are invited for an interview under caution, doesnt mean there is necessarily anything wrong, they need the interview to be under caution for procedures.

Just be honest, there is nothing more you can do.

hth

"So you had £16k and you spent it and then now you claim benefits?"

Bloody hell, as if having £16,000 at some point in your life will prevent you from landing on benefits at some point....

I've had such an interview when I was very newly divorced and claiming HB. They had made a mistake. It was scary and they were rather officious til they realised it was there istake. I took a solictor with me as was terrified.

All turned out fine.

It depends how much money you had from the house sale - £16k spent over 5 years is very reasonable; £500k is not. Take all the paperwork/statements etc that you can find to prove where the money went.

You mention some shares, is it possible they weren't sold after all?

You are entitled to have a solicitor present and also somebody for moral support - although they will not be allowed to answer any questions for you. They may or may not allow your dh to be present, depending on whether they may also need to interview him at a later date. They've probably only called you in as you're the lead name on the claim.

The best you can do is tell the truth.

Believe me, if I had £16000 sitting around I would not be claiming. I feel guilty as hell that we are in a situation where we need to but our family situation has been very difficult over the past few years - I'd rather not go into full details though, not here anyway.

As long as you can show the money was spent and on what and it doesn't fall under the deprevation of capital you should be ok.

However, if you paid off more than the minimum payment on the debts, bought a brand new car rather than second hand etc they may say you used the capital too quickly in order to claim benefits. If they do this they will treat it as though you still have the capital and amend your benefit payments accordingly.