Step-by-step: after an interview under caution

Check that everything has been done correctly

If you think the interviewer didn’t behave as they should have (see What will the interview be like? in the menu on the right hand side) or you are unhappy with anything about how the interview or the investigation went it is worth checking that they haven't broken any rules. If you want to you can make a complaint. An adviser may be able to help you with this.

Don't forget that you have a right to a copy of the tape recording.

Think about your options

Some things may have come up at the interview that you want to respond to, for example if you can get proof to back up what you’ve said you may want to send it to them with a follow-up statement.

If they write to you to offer you a penalty or formal caution you will need to think carefully whether to accept. Before deciding, you can ask them for full details of what they believe their case against you to be so that you can decide if they really do have a good enough case to go to court if you don’t accept.

An independent adviser can help you decide what to do.

Sort out your benefits

After the interview they may take some time to decide what to do, but if your benefits have been suspended, you should ask them to decide quickly. Tell them if you are finding it difficult to manage and remind them that they have a duty not to suspend your money without good reason.

Even if they think you have committed fraud you may still be entitled to the benefit, or to some other benefit. Get advice on what to do next.