Benefits investigation and SAR

[FlamingParrot]

Posting this on behalf of someone who was investigated by the DWP and interviewed under caution on suspicion of benefits fraud. The person in question has been cleared after the investigation but would like to find out what went on. The DWP decided to investigate because he agreed to do short term bookings when he was signing on. He always declared the work he did, but his claim was handled by their offices in Belfast, which are notoriously inefficient and often misplaced the paperwork supplied by his local JC. :rant:

He was also on receipt of HB but there was a £200/month shortfall and he had to obtain loans from family members to make up for it. The DWP didn't ask him to supply bank statements on a regular basis, instead they asked Santander to provide them directly to the DWP without his knowledge. He was IUCd in 2011 over his claim in 2009 and presented with statements from Santander, showing money going in. He explained everything to their satisfaction, and the case was closed, but he would like to find out what information was exchanged.

Would it be best to SAR Santander, the DWP, or both?

[leclerc]

Re: Benefits investigation and SAR

I would do the DWP because if the bank was under court order to produce them then they had no choice but to do so. I would add that if the notes suggest otherwise then it is a complaint to Santander about a breach of protocols for releasing your information.

[IanM]

Re: Benefits investigation and SAR

Send a SAR to both. Surely if DWP obtained documents from the bank they must have had some form of warrant so both parties would have a copy of it, if it existed. The warrant would have details of what was required to be provided to the DWP and the bank will have obliged so there should be a list somewhere of what was sent.

[enquirer]

Re: Benefits investigation and SAR

Send a SAR to both, then compare the two. If there are significant discrepencies, send the one's reply to the other, inviting comment.

I know from personal experience that it's useful to get them fighting amongst themselves. If they think it's going pear-shaped, there will be a scramble to avoid blame.