Compliance interview and undisclosed savings

[Alan_190512]

Hello everyone,

I have been on Guaranteed Pension Credit for a year now. Since I lost my job.

When applying we did a very stupid thing and did not disclose the extent of our savings. We were, to be frank, reeling from having to apply for benefits at all after working all our lives and did not realise the full-implications of what we were doing. It was too simple just to say ‘NO” during the phone application.

Now we have this compliance telephone interview. We realise that they must or at least may have found out. What we need now is the best strategy going forward. We do not, at any point, wish to disclose our bank statements. We are willing to pay back and admit our culpability.

We are thinking or writing a letter outlining our culpability, better to be the one to disclose than to be found out / directly accused.

What might be the best strategy. we are making ourselves ill with worry. I am 63 my partner 75.

Thank you

[Chris From The Gulag]

Hi Alan.

Akin to a rabbit caught in the headlights ?

Internet search ... DWP Compliance internviews ... reveals numerous forum threads across both the carer and caree
forums ... a lot of useful information on there for you to digest :

https://www.google.com/search?q=dwp+com ... =firefox-b

Even a useful video should you prepare audio as opposed to bland text :

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EevL2X5iZDw

Best strategy ?

Come clean and be truthful ... the DWP are both judge and jury.

[Honey Badger]

In this case honesty the best policy yes you made a judgement of error but at least you are willing to put things right which puts you ahead of the herd. Just explain you have never dealt with the benefit system prior to this and you made a mistake.

Their auditing process is a long way behind but they will find out one way or another so you need to do something.. and consider if you do things the "hard way" they could well deduct what they feel you owe directly from your benefit before you even see it hit your account.

I would encourage you to contact citizens advice or preferably a supporting organization which specialises in pensions/benefits for older people as the latter will be less overloaded than CAB right now.

[Alan_190512]

Thank you so much for these replies.

I should have said this was a telephone compliance interview. But the fact remains that we have savings above the limit so we’re never eligible. I think we need to br proactive and fess up by letter before the interview. Better that tha appear to be ‘found out.’

Does anyone have any thoughts on this?/

Thank you again...

[Chris From The Gulag]

Those forum replies , Alan ?

If in doubt , your local CAB ... given the possible repercussions ?

[Alan_190512]

I have tried and tried cab, but can never get through. What alternative organisations might there be??

[Chris From The Gulag]

Have you tried online ?

Local solicitor specialising in benefit " Compliance. "

Regretably , it is the weekend ... for some.

[Alan_190512]

Yes I have but for this they refer you to a branch...

[Chris From The Gulag]

In which case , Monday morning ?

Nobody on this forum can give the same expert advice ... because none of us are professional experts.

[Alan_190512]

Thank you.