Initiating new assessments

Dear @mikehughescq, there is far too much information and innumerable issues to write here but the most recent matter being that my personal circumstance has been under ‘investigation’ for the last 6 months and me being given 3 different explanations for said investigation. I was advised to put in a Subject Access Request for all the information the DWP hold on me who have refused this in its entirety owing to the Data Protection Act (specifically section 7 (6) a.

@Username_removed I was requested to attend an interview with the compliance department at my local job centre which owing to my illnesses (Agoraphobia and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) was and impossibility so an interview was conducted over the phone. During this ‘conversation’ I was told that as I had recently changed bank accounts that this had ‘highlighted my circumstance for investigation’. They also stated that owing to the investigation they had accessed my bank account and have found a number of small payments paid into my account (these payments were by family members subsequent to assessments for my benefits in which my benefits were reduced substantially and I could no longer afford to cover outgoings. These were voluntary contributions and vastly under the ‘savings capital’). Although they accepted my reasoning for these deposits they advised that further investigation would have to take place. The investigation was escalated to the Counter Fraud and Compliance Directorate who advised there wasn’t a case to answer but stated the DWP could continue investigation if they so wished. The CFCD have stated that the reason for the investigation was owing to the belief I had not reported my true capital. On putting in the Subject Access Request the DWP have refused this quoting the Data Protection Act and stating it would compromise the confidentiality of a third party (in my opinion inferring a report of benefits fraud). 

As I have said I have never been offered a comprehensive reason as to why I was investigated and all three of the reasons offered do not correlate. 

@Username_removed I put in the SAR as I am yet to recieve any real explanation as to why this ‘investigation’ took place, with me being offered additional account of why on doing so. 

I also cannot comprehend as to why it would take in excess of 6 months and an escalation to the CFCD to investigate a couple of small payments being paid into my bank account.

@Username_removed

I did this on advice of Community Law who advised me to do this owing to the lack of, then subsequent conflicting explanations as to why the investigation took place.

I think anyone in such a situation would want to know the reason for such an investigation, especially those who are innocent and have nothing to hide as with your friend and I.

Although I understand they have to investigate such reports, they cannot comprehend what effect this has on those they are investigating, especially those with mental heath issues. This has had a tremendous detrimental effect on my health, not only with my mental health declining/having to have medication increased & having new ones prescribed/almost being sectioned owing to my belief I was being targeted by the DWP,  over the months this investigation has taken place with me being concerned as to the outcome of the investigation i.e would I be prosecuted/have my benefits stopped etc  but as my focus has been predominantly on proving my ‘innocence’ I have been unable to recuperate or recover. 

Whilst many of the DWPs actions are intended to prevent misuse of the system/minimise the length of time claimants are reliant of state benefits, this, in my case and I’m sure of many others, has had the opposite effect and in fact prolonged it.