Ashton Under lyne, baby, eugenics, feminism, government, Housing, hunger, Jobcentre, poverty, sanctions, Uncategorized

New targets for DWP compliance interviews.

Sometimes I’m taken by surprise. Mostly I’m not. But this is a new tactic. A new target driven tactic employed by the DWP. 

For anyone claiming JSA, ESA Income Support or universal credit you might be familiar with a local service compliance interview. They send these letters out usually on a random basis or sometimes on the say so of a suspected fraud taking place. Now these interviews are compulsory and if you don’t attend then your money will get stopped. 

Whilst attending one of these interviews you are normally treated like a criminal, guilty before being proven innocent, most likely innocent of any wrongdoing as you have been randomly picked in the first place. You are taken to a room which looks just like a police interview room. They record everything like the police do, only in this case you are most likely innocent. You are asked to bring with you all documentation and proof to say you are who you are. This is what happened to a local lady who will remain anonomous to prevent any harrasment from the DWP. Here is what happened.

 After being admitted to hospital for an operation, she returned home to a “compliance interview” letter.Now the only “crime” that this lady committed was to become ill. She is claiming ESA and was previously claiming JSA. There has been no other change in her circumstances, but she is regarded as a criminal and will be treated as such. 

The lady concerned phone up the DWP on the number provided.To ask why she has been asked for an interview (interrogation ) and to inform them that as a disabled person and therefore classed as vulnerable she will be bringing an advocate with her. Here is a summary of the conversation. 

It took her a while but she eventually got through to a real person. This chap sounded quite nice apparently but wasn’t expecting any questions. People normally just comply, they don’t question the DWPs decisions he said. He sounded compassionate for a DWP worker, that he was under great pressure to perform these interviews. He didn’t say he was under pressure but I am presuming that he is because he has been told that he’s got to claw £1000 back from innocent people, people that have been claiming the correct amount of money and have committed no benefit fraud. So she is just a person on the list of targets for this clawback. He said that the DWP had supposed to have sent her a previous letter, which surprise surprise they didn’t. He didn’t argue the case for the DWP as he believed that she was knowledgeable and it was pointless doing so. She asked him why he had given her all this information… He said that he did because she had asked lots of questions and his tone wasn’t of a person happy in his job. She also informed him that she will be taking a witness into the interview and that she wants proof of all said letters from the DWP to herself that hadn’t arrived. After all it’s a well known fact that these letters don’t get sent out in the first place and the onus is on them to prove that they sent them and not on her for not receiving them. 

There are several issues that need to be spoken about here. The first is that these compliance letters are now being used as a form of target for the DWP. Never before have I heard of this. We all have heard about sanction targets, but compliance targets? Wow. That’s an all time low.

The second is the fact that you are proven guilty before you are even seen and are even interviewed in police like surroundings. This is shocking because even in a court of law you are supposed to be innocent before being proven guilty. The DWP doesn’t see it this way. And now they have a £1000 target to aim for innocent victims are going to be fraudulently accused of committing benefit fraud and will be asked to repay money that they do not owe, and have never owed. After all the DWP will want to reach that £1000 target so the most vulnerable will be targeted for this. 

The third is that the DWP are openly committing fraud. It’s much the same as demanding money with menaces. A very vulnerable person sitting in a compliance interview hosted by usually two very hostile DWP workers will agree to anything just to get out of the building. Their money will stop and they could well loose their home. 

The fourth and the last for now because I’m sure that I could think of more is that the decent members of staff working for the DWP are being put at risk by being forced to comply to enforcing these actions. The man concerned knew it was wrong but because he most likely he knows how bad it is to be unemployed, he has had to choose to enforce it. This is very wrong. Not all DWP workers are bad but the good ones tend to be the exception to the rule these days. They end up leaving or becoming ill because they cannot stand the stress and the wrongdoings anymore. 

Please share this blog. Let the DWP know that we are aware of their latest trick. If you receive one of their compliance letters always question it and demand a witness to any interview. That is your right so use it. We cannot allow them to get away with this fraud. Making the poorest pay for the banking crisis which was created by the richest is never acceptable. 

As my comrade States “With every twist of the screw that takes place it becomes more urgent that the jobcentre workers stand shoulder to shoulder with the claimants. Each generation has to relearn what solidarity means – that what the power of capitalist ideology does to us!”

Quick note. ESA is employment and support allowance. JSA is Jobseeker’s Allowance. Universal credit is what it says on the tin. 

  
It would be wonderful if anyone could donate to keep this blog going. I’m on a very low income and I need to continue this blog. My Paypal add is seercharlotte@gmail.com thank you! 

Please note none of this is hearsay it is based on good evidence from genuine people. 

For anyone who thinks this isn’t a true account of events, it was. I was accompanying this person and I have mentioned that it is a compliance letter. I have also attended many of these meetings with claimants. Some go ok, some don’t. It’s pot luck with who you see at the interview. I will not edit it because it a truthful set of accounts. Thank you. 

368 thoughts on “New targets for DWP compliance interviews.”

  1. Pingback: New targets for DWP compliance interviews. | elizapdushku's World
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  6. they also say they need to check my personal information, also in order to make sure that you receive the correct amount of benefit, i am scared x

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      1. thank you for gettin back in touch, so if i take all my benefit documentation that i have will that be enough x

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  7. hi been called into my local job centre 16/12/16 bottom of letter sat FESL2_BIT any help would be greatly appreciated im really worried clsoe to tears as i write this, thank you

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      1. thank you for replying its confused me as they are saying bring in documents relating to my circumstances such as wages slips pensions and investments, which is strange as i claim income support with my partner and in receipt of carers allowance for my son and also in receipt of pip and my son in receipt of esa, its making me really ill x

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      2. Hi I have had a letter for a compliance telephone interview and it says cct1/514 at the bottom what does that mean..i,m worried..mal

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  8. I’ve now had two ‘ compliance ‘ letters. One resulted in an interview, dwp described as ‘ robust and challenging ‘ but not as much had I had to go Ito JC office! Last one my MP fought for me, just recently. He even took it to Damien Green. Both occasions have been due to malicious calls to their hot line! At last, through a ‘telephone interview ‘. It’s been again closed. I was becoming suicidal. MP was tremendous help. Even though a Tory. It’s so damaging and stressful. I must move away from this area now, neighbours won’t stop these calls. Next time….well, I’ll not be able to cope. 😔

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  10. Can you help my son has recieved a letter we need to check your personal information we have arranged a meeting on the 12th Dec 11 am ??? Local compliance officer ????

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      1. if your son has been truthful with dwp then he has nothing to fear. i had one of these and i do not claim anything all they said because i get a state pension i was picked out at random. he will need to take with him ,bank statements for the last 3 months,any other incomes he gets.and if he gets any other state payments.as long as your straight with them then you will be done in about 10mins.

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  11. Thank you, I have all my bills, bank statements etc.. But things like this stress me out. I phoned as had to rearrange time as is a train ride away and have to pick my autistic son up from school as he won’t let anyone else pick him up, she said it will only take maximum of 30 minutes so am now really confused, if I ring the council would they know what its about as says regarding housing benefit?

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      1. Thank you, I’m wondering if it is bcos of my daughter. Back in September my daughters apprenticeship ended and she refused to give me wage slips to hand in so they deducted the highest deduction which I expected bcos of the situation. But I wrote a letter explaining she wouldn’t give them to me so let them know so am confused why would be about this x

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  12. HI I have just come home and received a letter of Notification of Customer Compliance Office Interview to discuss my Housing Benefit… What does this mean? I am terrified now!! the code at the bottom of the letter is CCOI1 (12/14) What does this mean?
    Thank You 😦

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    1. Hi it means that they need to speak to you regarding your Housing benefit. They may have had an anonymous report of someone etc but dont worry. Take all your paperwork etc. This happens alot. Good luck

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  13. I had a follow up phone call from them a few weeks back. She was asking about deposits into my account going back to 2014 I had a legitimate answer to them all. I asked he r if that was the end of it now, and she said yes. I can’t believe they can get hold of your bank statements going back years.

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  15. I reiceved letter from compliance fraud and error service,but its written in the letter is just to up-to-date. Any idea if this is only uptodate or allegasion? Im worried.thanks

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  16. Help.
    I’ve just had a compliance meeting unknown to me I was attending a normal income support meeting.
    I have been reported as my partner living with me which he doesn’t.
    He visits the kids a few times a wk.
    At the meeting she said I can carry on as I am and sign a form to say he doesn’t live here and possibly get investigated for fraud, start a fresh claim as a family and case will be closed or have a think about it for 10 days which I’ve done.
    I’ve not eaten and hardly slept since Tues worried sick.
    Thing is his car is registered here as he has no fixed abode and couldn’t visit kids if he didn’t have a car.
    I’m worried sick. I thought best option was to claim as a family from my next meeting but I’m worried they are going to do me for fraud anyway!
    They would twist the evidence to say he’s living here and rip me to pieces.
    I have post natal depression and anxiety and am no good at answering stuff under pressure. I was stuttering and flustered at my last meeting making myself look guilty as I was so nervous.
    What should I do? Change my circumstances and hope they don’t investigate or carry on as I am and risk getting investigated by the fraud team?

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  17. Pingback: New targets for DWP compliance interviews. | VeryVexed

  18. Hi I went for my interview today. It turns out someone reported me for working cash in hand, and for having lots of people staying at my house. I showed her my wage slips and bank statements and explained the suspicious looking deposits all explainable. When I called her the week before she told me it was just a review of my claim for housing benefit, she lied as I was actually being accused of fraud. She seemed happy that I wasn’t living an extravagant lifestyle and told me she would call me and let me know of the outcome in a couple of weeks. This has been the worst thing that’s happened to me in a long time I felt like a criminal. I hope this is the end of it now.

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  19. I accompanied someone to a compliance interview and the Compliance officer was really nice, and very annoyed with his organisation. He said he was seeing lots and lots of people who should never have been called for interview. He asked to see my friends bank statements to prove she did not have any extra money. Because my friend was clearly extremely vulnerable he allowed me to bring in the relevant statements for her without her having to return in person, and that was the end of that.

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  20. I’ve received one today got to have an interview about housing benefit claim. My employer was contacted a few months back and had to send them my wage slips and how long I had worked there.
    I have recently had a section 21 served on me. Could it be something to do with that?
    I also have 4 people in this world who hate my guts. My ex husband and his wife as he is pissed off that he has to give me maintenance. And my daughters bf and his mother as they don’t like the fact I can see straight through them. It wouldn’t surprise me if they had lied about me.
    I’m nervous as hell. But also really angry with them for putting me through this.
    I’m do stressed Im going to docs. I hate them I only claim housing benefit I wish I could tell where to shove it but can’t.

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    1. Really awful for you you must be a bag of nerves. From what you are saying I think it could well have something to do with your housing benefit claim. I’d hope to think that they are wanting to help you. The housing benefit that is. Keep strong you can get through this I’m thinking of you x

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      1. Thank you so much.
        I also think it could be to do with the fact that my daughter still has her mail coming here as she moved out a few months back she had letters from tax office etc. I’ve told her to change to her address now. It will be easy to prove as she has bills at her new address. I’m going to call them in the morning to try and get a hint of what it’s about. I’m also going to call the council as me and my 2 kids will be homeless in 6 weeks lol xxx

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  23. Hi my ex clams benefits for my daughter sand her two sons dwp turned up at her house saying that I lived there which I don’t …. but because I have I letters sent there as a postal address and I can’t prove where I live because iv no fixed address they are saying that if she don’t admit to me living there they will report her to the furde people … I only ho there on a saturday to see my daughter then I go again cannot you offer any advice please

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    1. Hi please go to your local welfare rights, citizens advice or similar. If you don’t know where they are then please contact your local council and they will tell you. What the DWP are doing is to knowingly make you commit to a false act and therefore commit fraud. Stand your ground and go and seek advice ASAP. Oh and this happens to a lot of people. If they have no direct evidence then they can’t do this. And change your care off address to someone’s house who doesn’t claim anything off the DWP or tax credits, or ask a local homeless organisation or your doctors if they will allow you to do this. Best of luck pal it’s awful.

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  24. Hi I was called in as well I work 18 hrs a week get child tax and working some housing benefit was getting payed for me due to low income.
    When I was called in they asked about a partner I always said I had a partner but we don’t live at same address he has his own house I’ve been with him since November 4 months so no way would we move in together that soon how ever they contacted housing saying I’ve always had a partner and he’s lived with me 3 years dwp lied I did not say that in any way now all my rent council tax I got to pay back the last 3 years money what can I do to solve this matter why should I pay 3 years back when no one else has moved in or out of my property! Talk about stress x

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  26. i have had a letter for a local service compliance phone call, when i rang, they said there had been a alligasion, what does this mean, i also have FESL2TEL AT THE BOTTOM OF MY LETTER,very worried as suffer with lots of illness, and its triggered a fit,they also put a wrong surname on the letter.

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  27. I had one of these interview last week am worried sick! My children’s father comes at weekends not to stay. He receives Carers for our daughter and my elder son have a disability on weekends it is very hard as both at home no school! He dosen’t work just receives Carers our relationship is very turbulent! The lady was very rude and made me feel about 2 feet tall. My older 2 children dad has passed away didn’t really like her comment about the immaculate conception as I was pregnant with my second son when their dad died!!!
    Anyway she said I may called in under caution with fraud team at the end, if findings didn’t match! They didn’t know any of my children’s fathers details…etc. What findings? The thing is I have since contacted a solicitor and he said I would of had more money from DWP if their dad was down as living here even if he wasn’t staying it didn’t matter!! How could this be ok though saying he was here when not. I am also returning to work in 3 weeks which I told her. I have only been on income support for 3 years while my children grew up. Worried sick now can’t eat or sleep or think of anything else now.!! I would be grateful of any comments be gentle please as feeling an emotional wreck!!! Thanks in advance

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  28. I had a meeting today, the guy was really straightforward, i took bank statements, bills etc and he was not interested in them. he asked me if i was a..living alone, b..doing any paid work..no to both which my bank statements back up. He said it was a random thing, that it would take 5 minutes to go thru, which it did… he did not say he would get back to me as it is just procedure.. lets hope eh??

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  29. I have just received a letter “notification of local service compliance telephone interview
    I am on what was the old incapacity benefit – I do not claim anything else – anyone any idea what this will be for?

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    2. yes i had same, its probably to check if u have funds over the allowed 6000, and u be asked infor about your bank details , or to provide back dated statements , so see if u need payback or not, u be asked questions about these over the phone 1st

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      1. Hello Jeff. I’ve had a letter compliance telephone interview. I finally got through to him today and asked what it was about and he said it’s just to go through a list of things just to see if my circumstances have changed is this right? I’m asking you because you had one before…

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  30. Animals Ive been called in the stress makes me sick. I believe a dwp employee at my first work focuses interview has reported me she was adamant and pushy I was with my sons dad he does not live with me he is on sick benefits! I am not creaming the system for thousands of pounds so so angry leave me alone and pick on the real fraudsters

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  31. Hey. I have an interview tomorrow and have been worrying since I got the letter. I’m now at the stage of ‘I couldn’t give a monkeys fuck’. They take you into a small room with glass between you and try intimidate you. I shall NOT BE intimidated by someone who works for the corrupt government who are stealing millions of not billions of £££ but hunt down the poorest, most vulnerable.

    Will come back tomorrow and let you guys know how I got on 😊 cheer up and don’t let this worry yous. It’s not the end of the world and there are people far worse off. That person interviewing you is a normal person (was going to say human but I’m not so sure). They go home at night and make their dinner just like the rest of us. They are just the organ grinders.

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      1. The person interviewing you tries to catch you out using trick questions. I was anxious and distressed after my interview.

        I suffer from epilepsy and I told him that stress brings on seizures. I was in a normal office setting, just a desk separating us. I had my daughter who is my carer with me. The questioning was still pretty intense.

        He read out the criteria for claiming ESA and other benefits, asked me if I understood and asked me to sign it. I had also to provide a copy of my Bank Statement.

        He said they would get in touch with me and this was around 5 or 6 months ago. I still havent anything from them since.

        Hope this helps

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  32. Hi I had a letter recently saying they had suspended my housing benefit I rang them to ask why and they said because of my capital is more than 16k I didn’t realise that I had to be but half of my capital is my kids money from csa that I had been meaning to put into an account for them but I’ve been suffering from mental health issues as I’ve been domestically abuse and has affected me and my eldest child a lot that we have had to have help and still having help. I have recently moved my children’s money into an account. I’ve phoned up dwp and said I had to phone someone from jobcentre an ivestergater, he said that it was the same as what the hosing benefit said and that I would have a letter soon to come in for an interview the next week was my signing on date which I didn’t know to attend or not but I did and told my advisor she looked on the computer and said it was lifted but sent a message for the officer to phone me when he did he said it was a mix up and he had suspended it again which he did apologise for the mix up I now am still waiting for a letter. I’m at the end of my wits as I have 3 kids to look after a single person and suffering with mental health. Could anybody advise me anything. Thanks

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    1. Up to 6 thousand gets left alone, between 6-16 thousand is counted, over 16 thousand all is counted.
      CS is for support, spending.
      Is it worth having savings bank account?
      there are “basic bank accounts” & post office card accounts” pay no interest.
      Or somewhere safe at home.
      Not advocating benefit fraud regarding the departments rules and regs but if managed to save a little monies above the limits to weather future storms then so what.
      Considering MP’s are having their 2nd pay rise in a year,
      to £74,962 per year, with ministers earning an additional £68,000 on top of that.
      Google, boots, starbucks etc etc all refuse and are let off paying the full rate of tax.
      And the banking systems brought us this so called austerity and got a pat on the back for it from the Tories
      Keeping in mind benefit rates are being cut, (not going above the rate of consumer inflation index)
      subsidized School meals soon to be a thing of the past, bedroom tax, pay to stay rent increases, all other types of add on’s looking to be scrapped
      I’d say if manageable, having a little tucked away over entitlements limit is sensible.

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  34. I do totally agree with what your saying p.cat, although I have read and visited the websites suggested I am still a bit confused as in do I have to sign anything at the end of the compliance interview? and if I don’t sign anything at the end of it what do they do if I don’t?…are there any repercussions if I don’t sign anything at the end of the compliance interview? – what course of action do they take if I don’t sign anything? I was also wondering if I bring in letters supporting my circumstances do they have to accept them and document the letters I bring in with me from health care professionals backing up my circumstances?

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  35. Thankyou p.cat and cinnamons place for the advice, I feel ill and low with all the worry it’s exacerbating all my conditions and illnesses…the very reason I’m on ESA in the first place, I can’t believe these tory monsters are able to get away with what their doing – they break the law and are able to get away with all this somehow

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    1. Well try not to worry too much now you have been learning your rights with regards to compliance officers interviews with in the FES department.

      Those letters are designed to strike fear and panic into the reader, only once broken down and looked at with a clear mind it then becomes clear its all smoke and mirrors. Fear gets people to comply !!

      Think of it this way those compliance officers may well be armed with fraud and error evidence when a 1st interview is called but its all allegations unless they can get the claimant lawfully to comply !

      They are the footsloggers/ the boot boys an gals of the dwp gathering yet to be substantiated evidence .

      Oh and the biggest sick joke about merging all the snooper departments under one (FES) is the cost to the tax payer, us, is more than the savings made to benefit fraud from the public purse.
      Yet apparently the country’s broke, sure, broken down on morals and values.

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      1. Sending virtual hugs…difficult and awful situation. Can tidally relate to Impact further on your health. Xx

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  36. I have had a notice of compliance letter with the letter template at the bottom left of page 1 saying FESL2 , does anyone know what this means?…they have also mispelt my name at top of the letter too. Can anyone help I’m on ESA and really worried it is making me ill.

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      1. Should have added, keep all letters as a misspeeling of name can be challenaged for overpayments, as well as other ways to challange…. yeh head on over to whatdotheyknow.com for lastest compliance officers guidlines.. explains everything about that team from your rights to deny everything to not signing anying with no comeback to you. And also how they can AND CANNOT stop benefit payments.

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  37. Can any of you with a recent letter confirm do any of these letters at the bottom have the
    TEMPLATE LETTER CODE FESL3..
    infact can you all list the letter codes.

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  38. To add to my above post i should point out FES at compliance level have very little powers, the information and evidence is at this stage heresy.

    From reports/ Electronic, general information gathering collected onto a main frame system, that then rates that informations Risk level and delivers it to different teams within FES.
    That includes allegations from dwp staff, members of the public, credit agencies and HMRC cross checking income tax paid on interest savings AND telephone/tv viewing packages, sky etc.

    Data held on us with organizations can be and is also applied for..
    But without your consent there is no LAW that those organizations have to release this data,
    HOWEVER as a whole, with pressure from the dwp they tend to.

    But under the Data Protection Act companies/ organizations have to legally justify doing so,
    AND under the DPA we should be applying to view what information is held on us.
    Please be aware at compliance stage it is still only allegations, be they unfounded or not!

    They are trained to bully/ frighten and intimidate confessions.
    Basically getting people to trip up.

    Your rights are to deny and not sign anything.
    To record the interview/visit and also to conduct a home visit on the door step.
    But please read the departments guidelines for clear understanding. of how their main frame electronic system once updated by the compliance officers on the local system Can either withdraw those allegations or escalate to fraud investigation service OR the system keeps the case open And Or flags it up again,, Or until more information/ evidence comes to light where the FIS may be able to make a case. if no case can be made and the case is not closed, the guidelines from the main frame system recommends the compliance team keep calling, in a nut shell hoping to catch people out..

    also; action to be taken after a interview has to go through the compliance officers manager then to the decision maker with all sensitive information removed.. this action tends to be when there is evidence but the claimant/ customer refuses to consent. in other words Deny.

    Remember innocent in till proven guilty.
    But please all read the guidelines and Know your own circumstances.

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    1. Hi Jeff the same happened to me last year I was told I would know the outcome. In 10 days after 3 months of waiting I phoned them they were full of apologies and said no further action would be taken

      On Thursday, 4 February 2016, The poor side of life wrote:

      > P.Cat commented: “To add to my above post i should point out FES at > compliance level have very little powers, the information and evidence is > at this stage heresy. From reports/ Electronic, general information > gathering collected onto a main frame system, that then ra” >

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      4. aah ok, so u recon i should call ? as been so long?
        whsat did u ask him? how did u phrsase the questioon

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      5. I just asked if s decision had been made explained that I would have an outcome within 10 days and told them it had been 3 months the lady was quiet apologetic just give them a ring good luck

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    2. Hi I wondered if you could give me a bit of advice as you seem really knowledgable on compliance I have posted st the bottom my circumstance.

      I have had my compliance interview was totally unprepared as letter just read update details. The lady was foul. Now I’m waiting for a letter from fraud to see if I have committed a crime and to be interviewed and convicted. Oh my god I’m in real turmoil. How long does it take for them to decide if I’m going to be? I had my interview Thursday I received my income support today. I’m returning to work in 2 weeks no longer on income support which I told them 4 weeks ago of. Then my children’s dad will stay those days as I am working 2 full days need him to have them while I work. Who do I need to notify then and when? Thanks for help

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    3. Thanks for replying and To reply to your above post. I really should of babbled less but was really scared! Now my children’s father is currently coming here the 35 hours a week to help care for our daughter as he receives Carers allowance and I need the help! I’m just praying for a good outcome before I return to work in 3 weeks as don’t want this hanging over me. Should I call then??

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    4. Hello PCat I have been reading up on local compliance guidance 2015. A paragraph states
      “Compliance Officer (CCO) must obtain a statement detailing the claimant’s current circumstances regarding their living together situation and their wish to discuss with the alleged partner. If the claimant reports a change of circumstances that leads to benefit being adjusted before the date of the second interview, this contact would fall within the causal link guidance”
      i’m confused as not sure what this means could you help me? Also it says if I change it in 28 days the same applies. I have only ever had 1 interview by compliance not aware of another in 10 days only the fraud one
      Regards and thank you

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      1. Compliance is in the Fraud & Error service department

        Everyone’s situations & circumstances are different .

        You can write our own statement, not have one written, decline to sign what they write & decline to sign anything.
        You have to know your own situations & circumstances .

        Personally in layman’s terms I’ve always told them to fuck off.
        Never declined a interview as then they can have benefits stopped, but declined to give info or sign anything, had few screaming at me, im refusing to comply.
        i tell them what i want them to know & remind them not to speak down to me as i will not tolerate it .
        The burden of proof is on them, they rely on people, hanging themselves, giving info & signing for them to go snooping.
        As i say well take me to court if it that’s important, but they cant because its only civil court !
        They rely & pray on peoples fear.

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    5. Hi P. Cat,
      I would really like to talk to you on the phone. This is an amazing insight. I wonder whether you are able to send me your email privately. Is this possible Charlotte?

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      2. Pcat,
        I was told I had to sign the statement that was written. Afterwards, I saw that it said, I didn’t want to write statement. What?!

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  39. Hi I had to go to one of these interviews today they treated me like a criminal I was in tears. They said someone has reported me saying I live with my baby’s dad. He does not live with me and my two children. They said my relationship with baby’s dad cannot be that bad if I’ve not long had a child with him. Who do these ppl think they are? I am not in a relationship with him because we argue to much and I don’t want that around my children. He comes to my home once a week for around an hour to see the children will this effect my income support claim? They said I’ve got three wks to tell them my circumstances have changed or there sending all paper work to the fraud department and I’ll have to pay it all bk. But I’ve not been claiming anything that I shouldn’t be. I’m a single parent I get no financial help of the kids dad. The man said to me why should the government pay for my children if the dad doesn’t? I feel so crap now and like a failure to my children I just want to get a job and get of it now but my daughter is only four month’s old and son is three and only at nursery 15.hours a wk. Xx

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      1. In response to Bex story above.
        Compliance officers from the (FES) Fraud and error service department, there are a few teams within that department, (i do not know how many teams are in each department) Spread out around the UK, compliance officers being one team.

        They gather information from a main computer data base that captures all information about us. and deal with it at local level.

        Believe you me a bloody nuisance But nothing to worry about once its understood how they work/ operate.

        Go to,, “what do they know .com website (all one word) search dwp compliance, for the freedom of information requests on the fraud and error /compliance guidelines.
        and read over and over, you will find they have very little powers.

        They bully people who are daft enough into complying.
        Know your own circumstances and your RIGHTS when dealing with FES.

        We are all daft and fall for their tricks because we tend not to educate our self’s on our rights and things that affect us .. Knowledge is power !!

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      2. I am really worried after I went in made me feel like I was a criminal I think I babbled a lot cos of nerves and the woman made me feel like I was 2 feet tall! When will I know if needing to go back under caution??

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      3. That’s awful. If you can take someone in with you, also you can record the interview with a voice recorder. They arent the police even though they might think that they are

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      1. I have had my compliance interview was totally unprepared as letter just read update details. The lady was foul. Now I’m waiting for a letter from fraud to see if I have committed a crime and to be interviewed and convicted. Oh my god I’m in real turmoil. How long does it take for them to decide if I’m going to be? I had my interview Thursday I received my income support today. I’m returning to work in 2 weeks no longer on income support which I told them 4 weeks ago of. Then my children’s dad will stay those days as I am working 2 full days need him to have them while I work. Who do I need to notify then and when? Thanks for help

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      2. Why would you NEED to tell them anything ?

        They are nobody’s and yes most of them are foul its as if they get off on it & it is how they are trained its designed to frighten people into volunteering information, its all nonsense!!

        read up on their own guidelines And what triggers their involvement @ above link whatdotheyknow.

        How long before hearing? out of common courtesy should be no more than a few business weeks but since compliance officers have no say within the FES department, they are just pen pushers & information collectors they take as long as they want
        Honestly FES as a department as a whole have very little powers, unless talking vast amounts of monies by joe bloggs is being defrauded, then that’s set aside for the courts to deal with.
        They rely on “Compliance”.< clue is in the word !!!
        Could apply to them to demand a letter of closure.

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    3. Hi most of staff from dwp are nothing but jobsworths I was took of incapacity and put on income support I get high rate mobility and high care I appealed against them taking me of incapacity and won thought I would get esa but I’m still on income support Hopefully you will prove them wrong I know it’s not nice when waiting for an outcome good luck xx

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  40. I had a letter yesterday saying i have a telephone interview on 13th January. Great timing a few days before Christmas and have 3 weeks to worry myself sick over it. Thanks dwp

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  41. I have one of these letters I have no idea why
    I moved home 3 weeks ago to a different area I was living in lodgings caring for the house owner
    I phoned to stop my carers allowance and cancelled my housing benefit
    I can’t apply for housing benefit for my new flat as the landlord won’t accept housing benefit
    I had to leave my lodgings as I had notice to leave the council offered b&b knowing I couldn’t go into b&b beacuse of my mental state
    I found this flat and my ex husband offered to go on the tenancy agreement so I had somewhere to live
    He doesn’t live with me he has his own place he calls in to make sure I’m ok but that’s all he lives close by and works hard and long hours
    I am really upset about this review I’ve only been here 3 weeks so have no utility bills I have offered to take my divorce papers and birth certificate also my council tax bill
    My mental health team say not to worry but I’m worried sick thinking I’ve done something wrong I’m nearly 60 and in the. Support group of eas
    Does anyone here had similar problems.

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  43. few questions
    is money in baby trust account also included as parents savings.
    and if on dwp , how much can be in your account withount needing declare.

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    1. what things do they ask /
      or what caused it
      and also my only concern is my baby account that is in trust and has money, and another but saved from the benefit money , which was saved for purpose. other accounts in overdrasft

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  44. i am disabled and on disability dwp and employment income support
    i recieved a notiffication of local service compliance telephone interview
    whats the difference between phone interview and meeting face to face,?
    should i be less worried if its phone interview?

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    2. I had a dwp conpliance phone call. I was on ESA (CB) and sold my property. I had 28k left and used it on my new house. They asked me for banks statements and receipts I never gave them anything because I was on CB ESA a month before I changed over. I have heard nothing since and that was in April and I am still receiving my benefits. Dont see how they can do anything as I wasnt on income related. My advocacy worker dealt with this and still I have heard nothing. I was always told by CAB you can have that moeny for 6 months if you sold your property What do you think to this

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    2. You’ve nothing to lose by requesting this. Alternatively contact MP. They have a dept within DWP to liaise with. Yes, stress of this does increase and add to illness. They don’t care though. ..X

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      4. I don’t know the time frame from being ‘reported ‘ allegations to investigations. But once they’ve seen you it is quick response . Good luck 👌🏻

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  48. I had a compliance interview in August the lady said a decision would be made in 10 days I’ve heard nothing how long have they got to make a decision

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      2. I should have mentioned I live in the same house as my estranged husband about 8 years ago we had a home visit from dwp and told us to claim for care allowance for each other we are both disabled and I have mental health issues and also a self harmer I carnt be left on my own could the delay in a decision be because of this

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  49. I have been called in for one next week. I’m on Universal Credit and on my initial interview was informed that I didn’t have to bring pay slips in for any hours worked. ( I have a casual job at a football ground, but I never declared it as I’m only working 2/3 hours a fortnight). The person who I first saw told me that it went off national insurance contributions so I just assumed I did not have to declare it. Now I’m worried I’m going to loose my house. Can anyone with some knloadge on the subject advise me on what I need to do?

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    2. Hi need some advice recieved letter saying INVITATION TO OFFICE INTERVIEW with compliance officer have no clue why I live with my partner & 2 kids claiming as a couple and always have I receive ESA support group which I was awarded again after tribunal for second time in 3 yrs also high rate DLA and low rate care have been getting these benefits for over 12 yrs I don’t know why they want too see me worried sick tried phoning and all the said was it would be discussed at interview. Any help would be great

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      1. Hi it could be anything, ranging from a check on your details or a anonymous report. However do not worry because often it is nothing, but if it is forewarned is forearmed. Take both yours and your partners documentation with you etc to prove your claim etc and make sure that they can see that you are both strong and aren’t pushovers. They are doing this to most people, and I feel it is their way of trying to intimidate us and to make us subservient to them. In a nutshell they’d like to try and break our spirit. Good luck xxx

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      2. I had a complaince telephone interview and I was told I had 6000.00I said No i had 28k from the sale of my house and I used it to do my new house up. Which you are allowed to have and supposed to use within 6 months. I was ESA CB atthe time and changed over a month later. They requested 6 months banks statements and receipts, which I didnt have anymore. I have never given them my bank statements and refused due to the fact I was CB ESA that was 4 months ago I still recive my beneftis and have heard nothing since

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  50. I have received a letter of compliance. Im on ESA and had been hounded for a full year by ATOS. (There is a long long story but I wont go into it on here) They have only asked me to bring a form of I.D.

    I phoned them and they wouldn’t say why I was being called in. I decided to go into my local CAB and explained everything, they called them, and CAB were told that they have recieved information on me from either inside the DWP or outside the DWP. Thats all they would say.

    Im out of my head with worry and depression. This has been going on so long…

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      1. Hi, i went through all of the process, and the still havent gotten back to me and thats been ages. Do you think I should call the DWP?

        Also I noticed at the bottom of the page, lettering
        – ‘CCOI1 (04/14). Foes this represent something?

        I hope you’re problem was sorted out.

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      2. Yes it does it represents the date of the template, customer compliance officer visit one, is it a home or job center plus visit?
        The whatdoyouknow.com links have already been posted from there can be searched more up to date guidelines.
        The letter and codes after the CCO and FES do represent home/JCP interview and tone of template letter and maybe risk level.
        Still waiting on FOI to confirm. that will be quite a long wait.

        Liked by 1 person

      3. Hi Charlotte,
        I have just come across your blog. I wonder if I could please talk to you over the phone. If you send me your number, I will happily call you back to bear the cost of the call. Thank you.

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