DWP "Customer Compliance" interview

[toggle]

Thanks for the reply. They've asked me to bring ID and any other documents such as bank statements, wage slips etc. Are these a necessity? I don't work and I online bank and don't want them snooping through my account. Can they access my account without permission if I don't bring the statements? If so I'd rather print them off. They haven't specified what time period of statements they'd like to see so it's all very vague. I'm worried that they will say that my children's father isn't allowed to see that at my house as much as he is. That'd be awful as my two month old can't go anywhere without my breasts!

get some help from the CAB if you can, cause some of this can get complicated

some busybody has probably called them and said your ex is living there.

they always ask for bank statements, but you are entitled to maintanance for the children. and that dosen't affect benefits. what they want to do is use an nuncertain set of 'rules' to determine if you are a couple.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/income-support-technical-guidance

What we mean by 'living together as a married couple’

If two people share their lives in the same way as a married couple, we consider that they are living together as if they are a married couple even though they are not married. We need to know if you are living together as if you are married so that any benefits you may be able to get are worked out correctly. If you are living together as if you are married, we call the person you are living with your partner.
What we mean by 'partner' We use partner to mean
• a person you are married to or a person you live with as if you are married to them, or
• a civil partner.
What difference does living together as a married couple make to Income Support?
When we work out entitlement to Income Support, we treat all claimants with partners the same way. There is no difference between couples who are married, or have formed civil partnerships, or live together as a married couple.
This is to make sure that couples who choose to marry or form civil partnerships are not treated any more or less favourably than those who do not.

Why we need more information

You may already have been asked some questions about your living arrangements. If your situation is still not clear, someone will interview you about
your circumstances to see if you share your life together in the same way as a married couple. It would be helpful if the person you share your accommodation with is also present at the interview, but if this is not possible do not worry.
The person who interviews you will ask you about: • how you came to share accommodation • how you share your home and your lives, and • what plans you have for the future, if any.
You will not be asked if you have a sexual relationship, but you may want to tell the person who interviews you whether you have a sexual relationship or not, because this will help them get a clearer picture of your life.
The person who interviews you will note down what you say, using your own words. At the end of the interview you will be able to read your statement yourself or have it read back to you. You will then be asked if you want to add or change anything before you sign your statement.
We do not have a checklist of questions to ask you. There is no single factor that will show that you are living together as a married couple. For example, just because you share financial responsibilities we will not necessarily consider that you are living together as a married couple.

What happens after the interview?
Your claim form and statement will be sent to a Decision Maker who will look at your answers and decide if your life together is like a marriage. When making this decision they will consider all the information you provide. They will then write and tell you of their decision.
If they think that your life together is like a marriage, they will decide that you are living together as a married couple.
If they think that your life together is not like a marriage, they will decide that you are not living together a married couple.
If you have only recently started to live in the same accommodation, they may decide that your life together is not at present like a marriage and will look at your case again at a later date. They will write to you again about this.
If you are unhappy with our decision on living together
See our section on What to do if you think our decision is wrong for more information.
DWP

i wonder if it would be worthwhile focussing on stating that he is staying to spend time caring for his children. focus on it being about the needs of the child, not about helping you. helping you could be interpreted as relationshippy. being a paren't less so. you're putting aside your personal feelings about the man who abandoned you while pregnant to facilitate his relationship with the children. you have no intention of restarting a sexual relationship with this man and contact will be in a more usual fashion when the kids are older.



maybee.

but you really need proper help on this one. cause it is complicated and the 'rules' are wooley

 

[lorna1717]

He does give me money for the children but that shouldn't affect my income support. The only thing I'm slightly concerned about isn't the fact that he lives here as certainly doesn't, but that I transfer bits of money to him if he takes out my toddler or buys things for her. He says as he pays me maintanance he shouldn't pay any extra costs. He takes her out and pictures me a receipt! So in my account there's odd amounts of money transferred from me to him of amounts like £5 £20 etc. once a week or less often. It's just explaining this without causing suspicion I have enough on my plate as it is. Surely they can't give me an ultimatum of stopping him coming here to see his children or stopping my income. Any advice for the actual interview? Sounds intimidating, I'm bringing my newborn as I don't have much choice in the matter

 

[dawn60]

I have received a notification of local service compliance office interview today to attend on 27 Jan....I didn't even know what it meant so googled it and came across this site which after reading all useful advice signed on as need some advice.
I am on ESA support group awarded through tribunal last April for 12 months contribution based, 3 months ago I had letter from DWP asking me to send copies of savings,Bank Statements,Personal Pension slips etc as they wanted to check if I was getting the correct benefit.I provided with all and got letter from them saying I was underpaid by 40p so gave me backdated payment from April which was about £9.00.
I am so worried and my anxiety level is so high as suffer severely with anxiety,depression and IBS.
I have been through 2 lots of ATOS assessments and Tribunals and won the last one for Support Group.
I have worked over 37years until I was made redundant 6 years ago and been downhill with my health and the stress of DWP....the only benefit I get is ESA and support with council tax,never claimed child benefit,housing benefit,income support or any other benefits in my life, Its unjust they investigate the wrong people and all the bankers,politician and major companies gets away with cheating or not paying taxes and get away with it.
I feel so upset and ill,tried calling the DWP all day to find out what the interview is about kept getting voice-mail of the person I have interview.....so frustrating!!! Have to try Monday again.
Any advice would be much appreciated and so glad I found this site.

 

[andysays]

...so frustrating!!! Have to try Monday again.
Any advice would be much appreciated and so glad I found this site.

Hi dawn60

Sorry to hear you're being put through this, but hope we can help.

When I was in your position and phoned to find out what it was all about, I was told they couldn't tell me that before the interview, that I just had to wait and find out then.

It seems that it's often that they suspect there's something you haven't told them that you should, maybe because some nosey parker has reported something, but it often turns out that they are either mistaken or wrongly informed.

If you're confident you have told them everything you should, then you shouldn't have too much to worry about, other than the inconvenience etc.

It might be a good idea to take a friend along to the interview with you, for moral support and to act as a witness or note taker in case there's something you miss. It's also generally a good idea simply to answer their questions in as brief and direct a way as possible, rather than volunteering any info they haven't asked for.

There are many people here who can share experience and give advice, but if you need "proper" advice, there's also the CAB. As well as their network of offices, they also have a phone helpline - details on their website.

 

[toggle]

He does give me money for the children but that shouldn't affect my income support. The only thing I'm slightly concerned about isn't the fact that he lives here as certainly doesn't, but that I transfer bits of money to him if he takes out my toddler or buys things for her. He says as he pays me maintanance he shouldn't pay any extra costs. He takes her out and pictures me a receipt! So in my account there's odd amounts of money transferred from me to him of amounts like £5 £20 etc. once a week or less often. It's just explaining this without causing suspicion I have enough on my plate as it is. Surely they can't give me an ultimatum of stopping him coming here to see his children or stopping my income. Any advice for the actual interview? Sounds intimidating, I'm bringing my newborn as I don't have much choice in the matter

i don't think a private arrangement like that should make a difference,

I have received a notification of local service compliance office interview today to attend on 27 Jan....I didn't even know what it meant so googled it and came across this site which after reading all useful advice signed on as need some advice.
I am on ESA support group awarded through tribunal last April for 12 months contribution based, 3 months ago I had letter from DWP asking me to send copies of savings,Bank Statements,Personal Pension slips etc as they wanted to check if I was getting the correct benefit.I provided with all and got letter from them saying I was underpaid by 40p so gave me backdated payment from April which was about £9.00.
I am so worried and my anxiety level is so high as suffer severely with anxiety,depression and IBS.
I have been through 2 lots of ATOS assessments and Tribunals and won the last one for Support Group.
I have worked over 37years until I was made redundant 6 years ago and been downhill with my health and the stress of DWP....the only benefit I get is ESA and support with council tax,never claimed child benefit,housing benefit,income support or any other benefits in my life, Its unjust they investigate the wrong people and all the bankers,politician and major companies gets away with cheating or not paying taxes and get away with it.
I feel so upset and ill,tried calling the DWP all day to find out what the interview is about kept getting voice-mail of the person I have interview.....so frustrating!!! Have to try Monday again.
Any advice would be much appreciated and so glad I found this site.

firstly, no one here is going to make you justify why you should get any benefit. you don't need to tell us youre not a 'scrounger'. you are entitled to benefit because of your current illness/disability.

secondly, if you don't know why you are going there, then we really don't either. it could be a random check, it could be someone trying to cause you trouble, it could be a DWP mistake. it could be someone there stirring shit cause you won your tribunal. When I sat through one with my other half, it was strongly hinted to us that these things are known to happen.

the important thing is that you went though this a few months ago. nothing has changed. you therefore know that you've done nothing to cause this and they have nothing that is real to justify an assessment. consider it another stage of harassment designed to make you go away rathe than claim what you are entitled to.

 

[dawn60]

i don't think a private arrangement like that should make a difference,



firstly, no one here is going to make you justify why you should get any benefit. you don't need to tell us youre not a 'scrounger'. you are entitled to benefit because of your current illness/disability.

secondly, if you don't know why you are going there, then we really don't either. it could be a random check, it could be someone trying to cause you trouble, it could be a DWP mistake. it could be someone there stirring shit cause you won your tribunal. When I sat through one with my other half, it was strongly hinted to us that these things are known to happen.

the important thing is that you went though this a few months ago. nothing has changed. you therefore know that you've done nothing to cause this and they have nothing that is real to justify an assessment. consider it another stage of harassment designed to make you go away rathe than claim what you are entitled to.

 

[dawn60]

Thank you andysays for your advice,
sorry toggle it wasn't justification but bit of background about myself, l am new on here so all advice appreciated so thank you for your advice, so glad I found this site and care, support and advice from everyone means a lot.

 

[Roadkill]

it could be someone there stirring shit cause you won your tribunal. When I sat through one with my other half, it was strongly hinted to us that these things are known to happen.

FFS. I wish I could say I was shocked, but sadly I'm not.

 

[lorna1717]

I have to attend this Thursday and I'm honestly very worried. I've almost convinced myself that I've done something wrong. Hopefully they'll understand that my ex needs to come here to see his children and that I'm not breaking the rules. The problem is that the rules are very confusing. Does anyone know if I'm allowed to ask them questions regarding ex coming over etc to ensure I keep within the rules? I've been relying on Google as I can't stand to deal with these people any longer than necessary!

 

[lorna1717]

Also should I take a one month bank statement? They didn't specify anything on the letter so not too sure of what to bring.

 

[toggle]

Also should I take a one month bank statement? They didn't specify anything on the letter so not too sure of what to bring.

3 months is usual. but they should have specified what to bring.

just remember, no relationship, no intention to restart one. indignation at the thought of that, but you're allowing him into the house for the sake of the children's relationship with him. it is NOT to help you, it's about the kids.

 

[ViolentPanda]

I have received a notification of local service compliance office interview today to attend on 27 Jan....I didn't even know what it meant so googled it and came across this site which after reading all useful advice signed on as need some advice.
I am on ESA support group awarded through tribunal last April for 12 months contribution based, 3 months ago I had letter from DWP asking me to send copies of savings,Bank Statements,Personal Pension slips etc as they wanted to check if I was getting the correct benefit.I provided with all and got letter from them saying I was underpaid by 40p so gave me backdated payment from April which was about £9.00.
I am so worried and my anxiety level is so high as suffer severely with anxiety,depression and IBS.
I have been through 2 lots of ATOS assessments and Tribunals and won the last one for Support Group.
I have worked over 37years until I was made redundant 6 years ago and been downhill with my health and the stress of DWP....the only benefit I get is ESA and support with council tax,never claimed child benefit,housing benefit,income support or any other benefits in my life, Its unjust they investigate the wrong people and all the bankers,politician and major companies gets away with cheating or not paying taxes and get away with it.

Sadly, your past history doesn't get taken into account. Nobody's past history should. There are no "wrong people". Everyone has to pass the same tests to get the same benefits as you do, despite the stories some of the papers print.
And yes, of course it's unjust. That's the idea - that if the DWP treat you shittily enough, you'll go away. Just take along exactly what you sent the DWP 3 months ago, and anything else the letter asks for, take along a witness, and don't volunteer any information, just answer the questions that you're asked, and you'll be fine. I know it's exhausting and nerve-wracking, but if they found nothing 3 months ago, they're unlikely to find anything now.

I feel so upset and ill,tried calling the DWP all day to find out what the interview is about kept getting voice-mail of the person I have interview.....so frustrating!!! Have to try Monday again.
Any advice would be much appreciated and so glad I found this site.

A compliance interview can be for any reason or none. People always assume that it means that someone has maliciously dobbed them in, but often it's just random selection.

 

[BK17]

I have to attend this Thursday and I'm honestly very worried. I've almost convinced myself that I've done something wrong. Hopefully they'll understand that my ex needs to come here to see his children and that I'm not breaking the rules. The problem is that the rules are very confusing. Does anyone know if I'm allowed to ask them questions regarding ex coming over etc to ensure I keep within the rules? I've been relying on Google as I can't stand to deal with these people any longer than necessary!

Let us know how it went and what they said! Hope you are feeling bit better x

 

[toggle]

FFS. I wish I could say I was shocked, but sadly I'm not.

it says something when they were seeing it happening often enough to warn us

 

[BK17]

I had one of these letters and had my interview this morning. It turns out some lovely individual has made an allegation that my ex husband (from who I have been separated from for 10 years) is living with me! My son has recently been diagnosed with autism,SPD and several other issues, I have been suffering from severe depression and anxiety and was close to the brink so YES, he has been here a hell of a lot lately 'Helping with his son' who is very, very hard to handle! I have no close family to help so thankfully my ex has finally pulled his finger out and 'helped'! He stays occasionally to give me a break as my son does not sleep & has to be watched continuously but live with me, he does not!!! I just cannot understand how some people can be so cruel and stoop so low when they must know I am already going through hell

 

[toggle]

I had one of these letters and had my interview this morning. It turns out some lovely individual has made an allegation that my ex husband (from who I have been separated from for 10 years) is living with me! My son has recently been diagnosed with autism,SPD and several other issues, I have been suffering from severe depression and anxiety and was close to the brink so YES, he has been here a hell of a lot lately 'Helping with his son' who is very, very hard to handle! I have no close family to help so thankfully my ex has finally pulled his finger out and 'helped'! He stays occasionally to give me a break as my son does not sleep & has to be watched continuously but live with me, he does not!!! I just cannot understand how some people can be so cruel and stoop so low when they must know I am already going through hell

you will hear it abut in pubs and places. 'i'll shop anyone just in case' cause they think that if someone isn't scamming, then there's no consequences, so it dosen't matter.

usually found hand in hand with the attitude that their mother didn't get any support, so no one else should. left there thinking that if someone had given a fuck about her, then maybee she wouldn't have been struggling so much that she didn't have tome to teach you not to be a cunt.

 

[1982]

I have also just received one of these letters. Having read through the thread, a few people mention about bank statements, but my letter doesn't mention bank statements? My letter specifically states - "We need to discuss a query regarding your claim to benefit. There is a concern that you may not have reported a change in your circumstances and we need to talk to you about this"
I do 2 hours a week cash in hand work. Should I have declared this? Could this be what it's about? I am a single parent and live on my own. My sons dad comes round pretty much every night on his way home from work (I live right beside the train station and he comes in when he gets off the train) to see our son. Could someone have got the wrong end of the stick and assumed he is living here? Someone reported he was living here about 2 years ago and I had a home visit. At that time, he wasn't coming round much, maybe twice a month. But since then, he has called regular, and as I said, it's pretty much every night now. He does stay on occasion but only when I am going out for a night. He sleeps overnight in with our son. Could someone have reported this on the belief that he lives here? I'm worried. probably more worried than I was for the first interview at home

 

[Aruna]

Normally a standard letter will mention bank statements, utility bill, id, tenancy agreement etc. Mine was like a that but when I phoned j/c he specified he needed to see my bank statements for savings and isas because their system had flagged those.. but they seemed unaware if the accounts where closed or still open/had money in them or not..
It appears to me that someone might have reported you for either working or your baby daddy coming round pretty much every day.

If youre on Income support you can work less than 16hrs without losing your benefits (lone parent) - not sure how they will take it/ or how it will reflect on you if you confess to them its cash in hand.

Best to speak to Cab and get advice so you don't say things you shouldn't say.

remember these compliance interviews are just to fish for information half the times they have nothing at all or sketchy bits.

 

[Aruna]

So you're better off portraying yourself in the best possible way to avoid a situation where they would need to dig deeper. It is their job to find the info if they feel you have a case to answer.

Best wishes
Let us know how it goes

 

[Stewielodgeman]

Hello

I have been reading through threads. I have received a Notification of Customer Compliance Office Interview. It has got me worried sick.


I contacted them today to enquire to what’s its all about?

The lady on the phone seemed nice enough and informed me it’s to make sure signatures were up to date and to check level of benefits. She did make it adornment to bring my current bank statements.


I am on ESA contribution based support group. The question I have is I have another current bank account with my savings in. I have never declared this to the DWP (is this classed as fraud?)

My savings accumulated from a work related injury and received a tax free pay out.


The account my benefits are paid into the statement show little cash withdrawals and transfers to other account I named “Bill Payment”


Can you offer information or shall I seek advice from the Citizen Advise Bureau.


I am worried out of my mind. I think my ex partner has grassed me up as she don't stop talking about money

 

[MrSki]

I would seek advice from Citizens Advice but how much is in this other account & do you remember signing a form saying that you have declared all your savings or any change in circumstance? Good luck anyhow.

 

[ViolentPanda]

Yes, not declaring your savings will be taken as fraud.
As you reckon your savings are made up of compo for an industrial accident, though, the CAB may have an "out" for you, but don't depend on it.

 

[andysays]

Hello

I have been reading through threads. I have received a Notification of Customer Compliance Office Interview. It has got me worried sick.

I contacted them today to enquire to what’s its all about?

The lady on the phone seemed nice enough and informed me it’s to make sure signatures were up to date and to check level of benefits. She did make it adornment to bring my current bank statements.

I am on ESA contribution based support group. The question I have is I have another current bank account with my savings in. I have never declared this to the DWP (is this classed as fraud?)

My savings accumulated from a work related injury and received a tax free pay out.

The account my benefits are paid into the statement show little cash withdrawals and transfers to other account I named “Bill Payment”

Can you offer information or shall I seek advice from the Citizen Advise Bureau.

I am worried out of my mind. I think my ex partner has grassed me up as she don't stop talking about money

If you're on Contributions Based ESA then (as I understand it*) your savings are irrelevant, you still get full amount and you don't need to declare savings or provide any evidence of savings, bank accounts etc (you will still have to declare this for getting HB and CTB though).

When I had my Customer Compliance interview, I was still on contributions based ESA because I hadn't been assessed and I'd been claiming for less than a year, and when I pointed this out to the guy doing the interview, he said this was correct and they didn't need to see bank statement after all.

*I would definitely check this with CAB just to make sure rather than take my word for it though.

 

[Samantha gove]

I have to attend this Thursday and I'm honestly very worried. I've almost convinced myself that I've done something wrong. Hopefully they'll understand that my ex needs to come here to see his children and that I'm not breaking the rules. The problem is that the rules are very confusing. Does anyone know if I'm allowed to ask them questions regarding ex coming over etc to ensure I keep within the rules? I've been relying on Google as I can't stand to deal with these people any longer than necessary!

what happened at your interview if you don't mind me asking I have one in a couple of weeks and unsure after looking on here why thank you

 

[paula murphy]

Just had a letter from customer compliance, they want me to go in on 15th April. They visited my home 2 yrs ago. Getting worried now, I have uncontrolled epilepsy,hardening of arteries on the brain, asthma, hole in my heart ,arthritis and had a nervous breakdown and suffer from depression. My son is suicidal and has epilepsy and my other son is special needs and sleepwalks. I have been targeted by 3 neighbours and am thinking its malicious calls about me. I'm really worried, I don't sleep much anyway but now can't sleep at all. I hardly go out and really don't bother with anyone I have enough going on in my life. Do I have anything to worry about? I know one neighbour keeps making allegations against me to my housing association, and I told them that when I rang to see what it was about, altho they wouldn't tell me. Any advice?

 

[andysays]

Just had a letter from customer compliance, they want me to go in on 15th April... Any advice?

Hi Paula.

Sounds like you've already got enough to worry about without this, so hopefully we can reassure you at least a bit.

First, I think it's normal that they won't tell you over the phone what it's about, so don't read anything too sinister into that.

Next, it's always worth taking a trusted friend along with you for moral support, and also to act as a witness to what happened if necessary.

If there are malicious allegations which have prompted them calling you in, they won't tell you who they're from, or even that such allegations have been made, but you can still mention to them that so-and-so has made malicious allegations about you before, and they may take this into account. But even if the allegations are malicious, you will still need to prove they're not true (assuming they're relevant to your claim).

Have they given you a list of info they want you to provide, eg bank statements or any other type of financial document? This might give you a clue about what they're interested in.

Overall, if you're confident you have already told them everything you should, then probably best to try not to worry until they tell you what it's all about - though I realise this isn't always easy to do.

 

[paula murphy]

Hi Paula.

Sounds like you've already got enough to worry about without this, so hopefully we can reassure you at least a bit.

First, I think it's normal that they won't tell you over the phone what it's about, so don't read anything too sinister into that.

Next, it's always worth taking a trusted friend along with you for moral support, and also to act as a witness to what happened if necessary.

If there are malicious allegations which have prompted them calling you in, they won't tell you who they're from, or even that such allegations have been made, but you can still mention to them that so-and-so has made malicious allegations about you before, and they may take this into account. But even if the allegations are malicious, you will still need to prove they're not true (assuming they're relevant to your claim).

Have they given you a list of info they want you to provide, eg bank statements or any other type of financial document? This might give you a clue about what they're interested in.

Overall, if you're confident you have already told them everything you should, then probably best to try not to worry until they tell you what it's all about - though I realise this isn't always easy to do.

They asked for bank statements and proof of ID also savings, I have £3.43 in a bank account from yrs ago, I don't even use the account. I live with my 2 sons but their dad visits often as he lives round the corner. He tries to help me due to my seizures but never stays. We are not together more friends now due to violence we separated. I told them everything Las time when they came to my house.

 

[andysays]

They asked for bank statements and proof of ID also savings, I have £3.43 in a bank account from yrs ago, I don't even use the account. I live with my 2 sons but their dad visits often as he lives round the corner. He tries to help me due to my seizures but never stays. We are not together more friends now due to violence we separated. I told them everything Las time when they came to my house.

Asking for bank statements is pretty standard, I think. From what you have said, it sounds like you aren't doing anything you shouldn't and so you shouldn't have anything to worry about. Sometimes these interviews are just random checks and if you give them the info and proof they're after they're happy with that.

Something else that might be relevant to you - if there are special reasons (for example medical or other circumstances) why going to one of these interviews is difficult for you, it might be worth seeing if they will making special arrangements, including coming to visit you at home if that's better for you (maybe you'd rather not have then in your home).

But it sounds like you should be OK and there's nothing specific you need to worry about - if there does turn out to be a problem, you can always get advice from the CAB once you know what the problem is. And of course there are many people here who will try to help with advice and support as well.

Good luck and try not to worry

 

[paula murphy]

Thankyou for your advice. Just a bit worried as they came to my house 2 yrs ago, and don't see why they would want to see me again.

 

[geminisnake]

Thankyou for your advice. Just a bit worried as they came to my house 2 yrs ago, and don't see why they would want to see me again.

Because they are souless cnuts who like to make ill people feel crap This could be someone spouting shite about you or it could just be them trying to fill their targets of how many people they have been shit to this month