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Original poster

Benefits interview with compliance officer?

17 replies

Knickerbocker1 · 07/10/2018 22:30

I'm a single mum of 1 in recipet of benefits. I've received a letter from DWP stating I need to come in for an interview with a compliance officer & if I do not attend my benefits will be stopped. I called the number on the letter & the lady on the phone told me it was about 'persons living at the residence.' Im worried. Although I am alone, my parents do help pay my rent sometimes as I only get £70pw after my rent & 3k on a credit card & im forever skint. I have to bring bank statements but my rent payments won't be on all of these for that reason. Has anyone had one? I'm losing sleep & my mind

OP posts:

Fiffyshadesofgreymatter · 07/10/2018 22:32

Would they have any reason to think someone is living at your property? A boyfriend staying over? A friend staying for a while?

Parents helping you out isn't a reason to stop benefits.

MyDcAreMarvel · 07/10/2018 22:33

Your parents paying rent direct to landlord is not an issue. They think you are living with a partner. Do you have a partner?

Original poster

Knickerbocker1 · 07/10/2018 22:35

No I don't have a partner although DD's Dad does visit her at my flat. It could be 3x one week & then not at all for 2 weeks. Very much on his terms, I only accept it for her sake.

OP posts:

mylittlefony · 07/10/2018 22:47

Do you get debt letters in anyone else's name ? Does anyone have a credit agreement or bank account registered at your address ? This could be flagged up

Original poster

Knickerbocker1 · 07/10/2018 22:52

@mylittlefony no! Although my dad does have a loan in my name (his credit is rubbish) so he transfers £110pm into my account for it - but that is in my name.
My uncle also borrowed my credit card for approx 1k. He makes monthly payments to my account which are then taken out the day after.
We're a completely disfunctional family as you can see. But both of these are in my name! With all these monies in/out I'm worried they're going to suspect something! God my poor DD being dragged down to this meeting with one stressed out mum

OP posts:

Lazypuppy · 07/10/2018 23:33

That amount of money coming in every month does look dodgy. You need to be able to show the exact amount that comes in from relatives gets spent on the loans etc.

Buggerbrexit · 07/10/2018 23:36

Sounds messy. Does DD’s dad stay over?

Babyroobs · 08/10/2018 09:53

A recent baby and a man viviting will be making them thinkmyou are not sungle.

Electrascoffee · 08/10/2018 12:41

Don't worry about it - they are sending these out to loads of people atm. If you have just had a baby they may be checking you do live alone - they probably will ask if you and the baby's dad are definitely separated . I had one a few months ago but since I got a job at the exact time I received the letter I just called them and told them I'm working now so cancel my claim.

swingofthings · 08/10/2018 17:07

Does your ex pays maintenance. It sounds like someone reported you believing you were still together with him spending much time at yours. How long have you been separated? Where does he live?

Foreverexhausted · 09/10/2018 07:35

I received one of these letters and I worried myself silly over it. For context, I have two children and separated 18 months ago (ex moved out) but have never notified landlord and also been very slow in removing ex off utility bills etc.

My meeting was with a really helpful compliance officer but they are part of the fraud team so it does mean they are looking into your claim with suspicion. She told me my ex was still showing on one of my utility bills and then went on to question if and how often he visits and /or stays at our family home. I was honest and said we were on good terms (neither with anyone else) and he visits most evenings and stays when children are upset (both our children are pre-schoolers). She thanked me for my honesty and said if we reconciled I would need to tell them.

As long as you can explain your financial set up I don't think you will have a problem.

thighofrelief · 09/10/2018 21:09

Be prepared for them to have accessed your bank account for as long as you have been claiming and to have your statements sitting there in front of them. Study them yourself first. Change the date if you are not ready and need more time to look at your paperwork say you need time to seek legal advice. If you can't give a good answer to a question say you can't answer accurately without going back over your diary. Don't take DC, you need to concentrate. Don't panic, answer slowly and ask for repeats of questions because they will try to fluster you. They could also be fairly insulating in snarky ways so hold your nerve and your temper and don't let them rush you into answers.

Electrascoffee · 09/10/2018 23:02

Thigh - they don't have your bank statements in front of them at a compliance interview. Please don't scaremonger.

I was called for an interview as I said and I asked the guy holding it if he had or wanted my bank statements and he said no it wasn't that serious.

Electrascoffee · 09/10/2018 23:06

If you are suspected of fraud, or even if there has been a mistake with your claim sometimes you are asked to attend an interview under caution and that's when they are likely to have bank statements. They can't access your bank statements without good reason - that's an invasion of civil liberties.

thighofrelief · 09/10/2018 23:09

oh sorry got mixed up - my advice is for interview under caution

Original poster

Knickerbocker1 · 10/10/2018 13:15

I had the meeting yesterday - it was fine. Some post coming to my address for my ex had been flagged up (an old catalogue account) the lady was lovely, she just asked a few questions & didn't ask to check my bank statements at all. I feel so relieved we've been on our own (me & DD) since she was born 15 months ago but I lived in this flat for 1 year with my ex before she was born so she understood how the catalogue issue had happened. I really had nothing to worry about, I wasn't really being investigated like I'd feared

OP posts:

NotSuchASmugMarriedNow1 · 10/10/2018 15:09

I'm glad it went ok for you OP.

How on earth do they know a catalogue company sent your ex a letter to that address? They really are big brother aren't they.

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