ESA BENEFIT REVIEW

I have managed to arrange a 'Benefit Review' to now take place at home as I suffer with Mental Health issues. However, the advisor made me aware as to the reasons.

In April, I was on ESA for a few months but made steps to do some work (from home), so registered with HMRC etc., but it seems that the DWP never received my letter to explain i was starting work, although there is a reference in a phone call I made to them that a letter was on its way (this was verified weeks later). However, as a result, there was a period of about two weeks where I was working, but also on ESA. However, the company i worked for never paid me which made my condition worse and within a month, I had stopped working for him and restarted my claim with the ESA (albeit took 6 weeks to get any ESA payment - forcing me into debt). I got paid by the company in drips and drabs over a period of 4 months (for that one months work), but never received any payment during the time I was on ESA.

I know I should have sent the letter recorded, but I just didn't think and it wasn't as though I never stopped the claim at all, however, I am just worried now that I will have to pay the money back, and rely on this to feed my family.

The interview is not under caution, its with the compliance team, but will this be referred to as fraud - it was a genuine error. Can you help? My nerves are a wreck....

Thank you Gordon.