Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Money matters

Find financial and money-saving discussions including debt and pension chat on our Money forum. If you're looking for ways to make your money to go further, sign up to our Moneysaver emails here.

Original poster

Benefit fraud

72 replies

Jacksmom4eva · 02/01/2024 14:52

HI i've done something wrong with universal credit and now I know im in trouble, i lied and said my 16 year old was still in education when she left in july 2023, i'm such a bad person and got myself into a bigger mess than I am already.

I'm scared what will happen

OP posts:
anothernamechangeagainsndagain · 02/01/2024 16:16

By law she has to be in education or training eg an apprenticeship. It sounds like you both need a bit of help, speak to your work coach and ask for help

Lougle · 02/01/2024 16:27

Jacksmom4eva · 02/01/2024 16:14

grieve for her dad who died

I'm sorry her Dad died. You might need to contact someone at the CAB who can help you out of this situation. You need to inform Universal Credit quickly so that you don't increase your overpayment.

Your best option would be to encourage your DD into education or training - she should be doing this legally anyway.

I'm surprised you didn't get an email like the one I've screenshotted to ask what your DD is doing?

Your DD could phone the National Careers Helpline

National Careers Service helpline
National Careers Service
Telephone: 0800 100 900
Text messages: 07766 413 219
Textphone: 0800 096 8336
Monday to Friday, 8am to 8pm
Saturday, 10am to 5pm
Find out about call charges
You can also arrange for a National Careers Service adviser to call you - this will not cost you anything.

She needs support to make sure she has a plan.

Benefit fraud
Riseandshinee · 02/01/2024 16:29

Say that she learns at home if you have to or don’t say anything because they aren’t going to investigate it

wutheringkites · 02/01/2024 16:32

Have DWP been in touch about this or are you just worried they will eventually find out?

Original poster
Jacksmom4eva · 02/01/2024 16:51

Ive had a review of my claim

OP posts:
Catsknowbest · 02/01/2024 16:56

Riseandshinee · 02/01/2024 16:29

Say that she learns at home if you have to or don’t say anything because they aren’t going to investigate it

Edited

That's telling OP to add new misinformation on top of the old. Will not help her

LIZS · 02/01/2024 16:56

So they now know you were not entitled to claim for her? Was she enrolled at a school or college at all?

wutheringkites · 02/01/2024 17:30

If they've found out, they'll reduce the claim
amount and start taking repayments from your claim as well. That will be the extent of it in terms of consequences.

When did your partner die?

cheapskatemum · 02/01/2024 17:44

I'm sorry for your loss. I also feel that some guidance from CAB would be helpful as it sounds like you've got a lot to deal with at the moment.

Smithstreet · 02/01/2024 17:48

Depending on your situation you may be entitled to some Bereavement benefits. I would get to CAB or have a look online. Its done now so engage with them and find the best way to repay while allowing you and your DD to live. Good luck

DragonFly98 · 02/01/2024 17:52

blackfluffycat · 02/01/2024 15:56

Oh sorry I don't know about universal credit. I thought you meant the child allowance.

chikd benefit is the same except a 20 week run off if you register with a careers service.

Original poster
Jacksmom4eva · 02/01/2024 17:59

wutheringkites · 02/01/2024 17:30

If they've found out, they'll reduce the claim
amount and start taking repayments from your claim as well. That will be the extent of it in terms of consequences.

When did your partner die?

last year of covid

OP posts:
caringcarer · 02/01/2024 18:09

Riseandshinee · 02/01/2024 16:29

Say that she learns at home if you have to or don’t say anything because they aren’t going to investigate it

Edited

You shouldn't be advising OP to lie as well as commit fraud. If caught her punishment will be far worse. Best she tells them she made a mistake as grieving and not thinking properly after her DH died.

Daisy12Maisie · 02/01/2024 18:21

Just give them the correct info now. Better now after 5 months than 2 years down the line.
Also, my 16 year old left school in July as well and I got a couple of phone calls offering support for him as he hadn't turned up at 6th form. I had told the school he wasn't going as he had an apprentiship with the raf but they called me anyway. My point being if she wasn't at school and isn't doing an apprentiship then there should be support out there for her. My friends daughter failed all her GCSEs as she is a lovely girl but not academic. She has just got an apprentiship at a hairdressers. If your child is helped into something like that then she could pay a bit towards her keep etc so that would help you with money.

blackfluffycat · 02/01/2024 18:35

What does she do during the week? Losing her dad is awful but she would be better of going back to college now.

Crazycrazylady · 02/01/2024 18:40

Op

Just tell the truth now. Particularly as to how many hours she works as they will be able to access that data correctly. They will clay back the overpayment over the next while.

Geekylover · 02/01/2024 19:05

Just tell them, it’s not that bad. Maybe your daughter will find a nice job to help out financially. It will be ok x

WithACatLikeTread · 02/01/2024 19:23

It is going to look even worse that you are only admitting it because they are doing a review. I sympathise about the bereavement but you have knowingly lied. How long would you have continued claiming wrongly?

newoldfluff · 02/01/2024 19:29

You're best off phoning them and telling them and asking how best to pay it back. Presumably you have some of the money left?

DragonFly98 · 02/01/2024 19:30

Crazycrazylady · 02/01/2024 18:40

Op

Just tell the truth now. Particularly as to how many hours she works as they will be able to access that data correctly. They will clay back the overpayment over the next while.

The working is irrelevant a YP earnings don't affect the parents UC if they are in full time education.

FedUpMumof10YO · 02/01/2024 19:31

Why isn't she in education?

Original poster
Jacksmom4eva · 02/01/2024 20:04

Geekylover · 02/01/2024 19:05

Just tell them, it’s not that bad. Maybe your daughter will find a nice job to help out financially. It will be ok x

Thank you she has a saturday job

OP posts:
Original poster
Jacksmom4eva · 02/01/2024 20:04

newoldfluff · 02/01/2024 19:29

You're best off phoning them and telling them and asking how best to pay it back. Presumably you have some of the money left?

What money,?

OP posts:
Original poster
Jacksmom4eva · 02/01/2024 20:05

WithACatLikeTread · 02/01/2024 19:23

It is going to look even worse that you are only admitting it because they are doing a review. I sympathise about the bereavement but you have knowingly lied. How long would you have continued claiming wrongly?

6 months :(

OP posts:
Muchtoomuchtodo · 02/01/2024 20:09

What is your dd doing Sunday - Friday @Jacksmom4eva

Swipe left for the next trending thread