(Unannounced) home visits

Not this old thing.  They’re not going to start poking round in people’s bedrooms again are they?

Hey, perhaps they’re going to use these people to sort out all the problems caused by PIP delays and bad decision making!!!

....or is it all part lf the ‘frustrate them off benefits’ subculture???

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm…...........

PS - the job title. Good GRIEF!!!!!

I suggest a standard letter for our clients to give to visiting officers.

Dear DWP

I/We………in an effort to reduce ongoing footfall through our domestic establishment hereby inform you that we now intend to conduct all our business digitally or by telephone.  This will improve the efficiency of communication between ourselves and the over intrusive authorities, such as yourselves, and, will also reduce costs.  Please log on to www, etc, and follow the screen menu.  Alternatively, you can telephone us on the above number for a telephone consultation.  As a last resort, if you have problems communicating with us in this manner, a face to face appointment can be made at a place of our choosing but you will have to provide us with seven days notice.

Yours, etc.

nevip - 01 August 2014 02:00 PM

I suggest a standard letter for our clients to give to visiting officers.

Dear DWP

I/We………in an effort to reduce ongoing footfall through our domestic establishment hereby inform you that we now intend to conduct all our business digitally or by telephone.  This will improve the efficiency of communication between ourselves and the over intrusive authorities, such as yourselves, and, will also reduce costs.  Please log on to www, etc, and follow the screen menu.  Alternatively, you can telephone us on the above number for a telephone consultation.  As a last resort, if you have problems communicating with us in this manner, a face to face appointment can be made at a place of our choosing but you will have to provide us with seven days notice.

Yours, etc.

If using our website, please note that only Netscape Navigator 4.0 or earlier is supported.

....and if you are experiencing problems using our website please be patient as we have not signed off on it yet.

Via a FOI request, here’s a copy of the 63 page guidance issued to the DWP’s ‘Performance Measurement’ review officers ...

... includes:

- “You must make an un-notified visit to each customer, apart from the exceptions detailed in the subsequent paragraphs. If this is ineffective a second un-notified visit must be made”

- “Some customers may refuse to be interviewed. You should make sure that you explain the purpose of your visit and try to put the customer at ease and you must gain the customer’s consent to enter their property. The customer may have a genuine reason for not wanting to be interviewed there and then, and unless you have a suspicion about the reason for refusal, you should arrange to call back later. The customer is within their rights not to admit you into their home”

- “If a customer refuses to co-operate with the review and you have reason to suspect this is because the customer has something to hide, you should refer the case to FES/LA Fraud. If, however, the customer refuses to co-operate due to mental illness or eccentricity, you must contact your Team Manager for advice”

shawn - 02 September 2014 01:02 PM

If, however, the customer refuses to co-operate due to ...  eccentricity, you must contact your Team Manager for advice”

Hmm, I sense a competition…

LOL! Great minds- that’s exactly what I was about to post!

What a wonderful expression.

I also love the bit about some people possibly having a genuine reason for being reluctant to let a complete stranger (or pair of strangers) into their home in order to immediately undergo an interview during which a rake of highly personal questions will be asked. How very unsporting of them.

So, if a client simply doesnt want some stranger poking round the house and says “No, im not letting you in” then they can be referred for fraud investigation if the officer suspects dodgy dealings.

If they dont get in the house then on what grounds can such suspicions arise??

I will now advise all clients not to paint their doors and keep unkempt gardens, with at least a sofa and rusty washing machine in the garden for effect. The occasional broken window pane will come in nicely. God help anyone on benefits who “appears” to be well presented!

Joking aside I wonder how many DWP visiting staff will refer for fraud regardless, just out of spite for not being let in to do their Gestapo stuff.