dwp compliance visit

bro58 wrote:

jacibee wrote:

i claim long term incapacity benefit and dla that is all.

jacibee,

If your IB is non-contributry, or you receive IS Top Up premiums due to your receipt of DLA (Care).

Any capital over £6000 could be taken into account,

Also if you receive an occupational pension over £85/week, you could be liable to deductions if in receipt of contributry IB also.

bro58

Jacibee,

I've given these scenarios, as you simply state long term IB, and DLA, with no further detail.

If it is Contributary IB, then their is no limit on your savings.

As for DLA this is a totally non-means tested benefit, so no worries there.

As long as you are quite sure that you are not getting any other form of IS, Top UP etc, and taking my comments in my prior post into account.

It won't matter what savings you have at this time.

Further if you reach retirement age before 6/4/2014, you will remain on your current IB, and will not be transfered onto ESA.

It is hard to give a definitive answer without the full facts as you must understand.

If you still have any doubts, contact CAB, or similar advice agency.

If your concerned about the compliance visit, can you have someone there with you, it always helps.

best wishes

bro58

jacibee wrote:

i claim long term incapacity benefit and dla that is all.

I can't think of any reason why Customer Compliance should be interested in your savings or home ownership but please refer to my previous post and be prepared to answer any questions.

It's also worth mentioning that unlike medical assessments, if you ask for permission to audio record the interview they have to give you permission.

Good luck

Derek

jacibee wrote:

i have a dwp compliance visit next week. i dont claim any means tested benifits as i have retirement savings. so do i have to declare them my actual amount of savings and whether i own my home or have a morgage.

If a call was made (or any other accusation by letter/online etc), the DWP/LA recall all the file(s) relating to the claim, and check the information against the information on system, and against the nature of the allegations. If there is nothing to indicate fraud/the accusation is thought to be mallicious or there may be a small matter which needs to be cleared up, the case goes to a team known as "compliance". The compliance team will make further checks which will either corroborate fraud (in which case it goes to FIS, prove no fraud is evident, which results in the case being closed, or they cannot establish it either way. When it cannot be established either way, they will either invite the claimant to interview or go to the claimant's home to interview them to clear it up. This is not an interview under caution. Once the interview is over you will be asked to sign a statement that you have not had a change of circumstances, the compliance officer will write a report and a decision will be made to either refer to FIS, recover a small overpayment (which is not fraudulent) or take no further action.

thanks bro58 i have worked all my life until 2001 when i had an accident and had to rerire on ill health my health has gone down hill ever since i have paid a full stamp all my life. so do i have to tell compliance all about my savings etc

Without knowing the reason behind the compliance visit it is impossible to answer that question.

Regardless of whether or not your savings affect your benefit you may be asked about savings, for example, if somebody made a malicious allegation that you have been working, they may want to see a bank statement.

It's up to you whether you comply with any request but refusing to comply could result in your case going to a decision maker.

Derek4 wrote:

Without knowing the reason behind the compliance visit it is impossible to answer that question.

Regardless of whether or not your savings affect your benefit you may be asked about savings, for example, if somebody made a malicious allegation that you have been working, they may want to see a bank statement.

It's up to you whether you comply with any request but refusing to comply could result in your case going to a decision maker.

Jacibee,

I am afraid that the information given by Derek, in the above quoted post, is abslolutely correct.

If you fail to co-operate with their questioning,your benefits may be stopped.

It would seem that you have nothing to hide, or worry about.

Although it can all be very distressing and unduly intrusive, and indeed in some cases unecessary, you don't really have much choice.

On the positive side there have been instances were The Compliance Team have visited a claimant, and it has come to light that said claimant has not been receiving a benefit that they were entitled to.

As Derek said you could record the interview, or have someone with you taking notes.

Try not to worry, I realise this is easier said than done, even when one is completely innocent.

good luck

bro58