Blown my benefits?
Question
I'm being investigated for a fraudulent benefits claim and I'm worried I'll be left with no income. How will I be able to get benefits again if the investigation goes against me?
Answer
It is common for benefit to be suspended during a fraud investigation, although the decision to suspend can only be made by the Decision Maker (based at a benefits authority), not the fraud investigator.
When the benefit authority informs someone that their benefit has been suspended, it should also say what information it needs in order to resolve the question about entitlement and to decide whether to reinstate the benefit. If you are claiming more than one benefit, the benefit authority cannot automatically suspend all of your benefits - they can only suspend a benefit if there is a question about your entitlement.
Your benefit will continue to be suspended until either:
- the benefit authority has carried out investigations and resolved the question which caused it to question your entitlement ;
or
- the Decision Maker reconsiders your entitlement to the suspended benefit.
To get your benefit reinstated before the outcome of the fraud investigation you would need to contact the benefit authority and argue that the suspension of your benefit is causing you hardship. For example, if you have young children, you could point out the effect that having no benefit is having on them. The Decision Maker has the discretion to reinstate benefit because of hardship, particularly where the claimant is considered to be vulnerable.
For more help and advice, contact your local Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB).
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Question answered by CAB
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