Advertisement
If you have a new account but are having problems posting or verifying your account, please email us on hello@boards.ie for help. Thanks :)
Hello all! Please ensure that you are posting a new thread or question in the appropriate forum. The Feedback forum is overwhelmed with questions that are having to be moved elsewhere. If you need help to verify your account contact hello@boards.ie
Hi there,
There is an issue with role permissions that is being worked on at the moment.
If you are having trouble with access or permissions on regional forums please post here to get access: https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058365403/you-do-not-have-permission-for-that#latest

Need Some Advice!

  • 07-05-2008 8:24pm
    #1
    WorriedSick
    Closed Accounts Posts: 59 ✭✭


    Hi, Here's my prediciment..

    For the past 4 years I have been suffering from Depression caused by a variety of different family circumstances including deaths of family members. I have never been able to last in a proper job for more than a month so I was claiming long term illness benefit from the social welfare. One a couple of occasions last year, I tried to get myself back to work so I applied for a couple of jobs. I got offered 2 of the jobs and took them but only lasted a couple of weeks in each job and then went back onto illness benefit. Because deep down I knew that I would probably only last a few weeks, I didn't notify the Social welfare so I continued claiming for the overlapping period that I was working.

    I eventually got my dream job in August last year and haven't looked back, I am happy and I am no longer suffering from depression. I stopped claiming as soon as I started workng as it was my dream job and I was intent on living a normal life. The problem is I have now recieved a letter from the Social Welfare saying.....

    "I am writing to you about your claim for illness benefit, The department has aquired information which indicates that you were working contrary to the regualtions governing illness benefit on various days during this period."

    "If you recieved Illness benefit bacause of false or misleading statements or because you concealed important information , you will be required to repay this benefit to the department."

    "The deciding officer is considering revising the decision to allow illness benefit for the period, however before this happens you are invited to comment on the matter"

    I am really worried by this and I know that it was a stupid thing to do, does anybody know what worse case scenario is? I have know problem paying back any amount of money but could I be looking at criminal prosecution or possibly jail?? In the letter it only mentions repaying the department but I am sh***ing that I could be in serious trouble. Any advice would be appreciated.


Comments

  • #2
    board om
    Closed Accounts Posts: 643 ✭✭✭board om


    Hey OP,

    first of all, dont panic. it isnt as bad as it seems. just contact them as soon as possible and set up a meeting. you were genuinely sick and as long as you werent claiming and working long term then it can all be resolved. what they most likely think is that you have been working the whole time and claiming benefits but that is not the case. the chances are they will ask you to repay the over lapping amounts. but the beauty about this is they wont ask for a lump sum or even a lrage monthly sum. it is generally a very smally amount on a weekly basis. believe it or not they are very accomodationg about these things.

    so my advice would be to just go and tell them the truth. now dont say when you took the jobs you knew you werent going to last becasue that looks like a bit more premedetated. just explain you really wanted to get back working but that it didnt work out. then you tried again but the same thing happened. bottom line is you were unwell for 4 years, you just have to prove that to them. your doctor could probably help with that

    but what ever you do, dont get in a state over it. its going to be fine.

    all the best and good luck.


Advertisement