DWP Meeting

[becky41060]

I have been sent a letter ordering me to go for a dwp meeting, I have been working 11.25 hrs a week on a flexi contract since last November, which has meant I’ve been working more than those contracted hours as overtime. As I failed to mention this to dwp as I am claiming ESA. I had read that with ESA that I could work under 16 hours and I thought that as I’m only contracted to 11.25 that I wouldn’t need to inform them. I have now been sent a letter saying that it could lead to criminal proceedings. My brain does not allow me to think of the bigger picture until it’s too late. Now going to see a solicitor to see what trouble that I am in. I have no problems in paying back what I’ve now realised I probably don’t need. So next week I have a funeral to attend on the Wednesday and this dwp meeting on the Thursday. I am not relishing the thought of next week. Has anyone been to one of these meetings?...

[steve55]

its not just the hours, its the type of work youve been doing and whether it affects what youve put on youre claim ie have back problems and the work involves lifting.

[AVENA]

I have to take my partner to one soon. There is no way he can work, but the fact that they have written directly to him ( I found the letter by accident on a shelf) sent him directions to a place that he has never been to, in a City 25 miles away (he cannot drive and couldn't get there on his own & set an early morning appointment, has put me really on edge! Does anyone have any experience of this as I am quite concerned how this will go to be honest? My husband is still under the care of his rehabilitation hospital so I was surprised to be called in at this stage. Is this normal?

I understand that you can work and still get these benefits so hopefully, if you have only been doing a few hours, it is fine, they probably tell you off for not advising them though.

[sealiphone]

You're already doing the best thing if you are going to see a criminal solicitor, as it appears that you may be attending an interview under caution. The letter you received should tell you if it's an interview under caution, conducted under PACE (Police and Criminal Evidence Act).

If this is the situation having advice from a solicitor is definitely advisable, such interviews are recorded and can be used in court as evidence.

Whilst this sounds very scary the outcome of many over payment investigations do not lead to a criminal prosecution, however many factors will be important in determining how they wish to proceed hence legal advice is essential.

Legal Aid may be awarded as an interview under caution is a 'criminal matter'.

[RockyMountain]

I have a brain injury. I was called into one of these, interviews under caution. I had started to claim my pension early, as it was not work, it hadn't even occurred to me I'd have to inform DWP. Basically they argued it was in the statements when claiming (small print) and I should have known, well I didn't, if I was a fully functioning non brain injured person I might have noticed. Any way they ask you the same questions in many different ways, at different times within the interview to try to double check/ trip you up.

Even though I had hidden nothing, supplied tons of relevant information, letters from my medic' consultants rehab/neuro admitted the oversight from the beginning.

They fined me the amount I'd received differentially over the standard rate and the enhanced dependancy rate as if it was that I'd knowingly broken permitted work rules, and doubled it... future payments at the non enhanced rate.

Scumbags.....