Interview under caution, Please help I'm so scared.

[adamsmummy85]

Hi I'm really not sure where to turn, I'm so scared.

I have a letter to tell me I had an overpayment from the council due to my undeclared earnings.

Please dont judge me, I took up an NVQ course last year, my boss asked me if I would like to do some hours paid work when numbers were low, I agreed.

My hours could be anything from 1 hour a day to 10 hours per week and my wage was anything from £10 per month to £160 some months no work.
As the work was limited I didnt think to declare it.

Anyway I recived a letter explaining I have an overpayment of £221 of housing benefit I rang there office and arranged a repayment of £10.20 per week, they had told me this happend because of undeclared earnings, and when I was t next recive a payslip to bring it in.

I thought that would be it until I recived a letter saying to attened an interview under caution. I am so scared I dont know what to do.

I more worried as I didnt tell my husband of the earnings as he will take them from me. Now he has a letter to asking why he did not declare his partners earnings.

I dont want him to now, he can be possesive and agressive and I'm scared what he will do to me if he finds out.

I feel like if I just knew to declare it, I would have saved myself so much hassle, I feel so niave and stupid.

My son is picking up on my anxity too and becoming clingy.

I go numb and feel like my hearts in my throat I'm sure its panic attacts but I dont know.

I havent eaten properly since friday and sleep only happens because I am so exhausted.

Please help I cant relax and feel like ive hit rock bottom.

 

[Wirral_Kitty]

Aaawww, try not to think the worst of the situation. Things never go as bad as you expect them to. Worry about it when you are actually in the interview as it may not be as bad as your think, especially if you are honest. I would also tell your partner but try and be blasé about it, as if its not really important. When its all done and dusted then you need to dump him...no-one should make you feel that way, he shouldn't be in your life. Good luck babe x

 

[CymruEv]

Go to the forum on moneysavingexpert.com You'll find really good advice on there.

 

[babyblog]

Hiya, sorry you are in this horrible position. How do you know your husband got a letter? had he told you or did the council tell you? I imagine the interview will ask you to go through the details and your explanation of how it happened,at the end of the day it is not ahuge amount of money and if it was a genuine mistake then i'm sure they won't take it any further.

In terms of your relationship with your husband, is there anywhere you can seek support? Maybe tell him when you have someone else with you? x

 

[misslissa]

I used to work in council tax and trust me it's not as scary as you think, you are talking minor amounts of money - I'm amazed they are even bothering with the interview!

Just hold your hands up in the interview, apologise and say you you were naive about it. It will be a slap on the wrist and they will prob keep an eye on what you declare for a while, they may ask for bank statements etc to prove what has been paid in etc. So long as you are honest and there isn't anything being hidden from them they willbe ok.

 

[misslissa]

Ps if you are scared of your OH perhaps you need to move on, also explain this in your interview.