Just checking, but is it true if I plead guilty the sentence can be reduced by up to a third?

Thanks for the links anthholmes, that document was most helpful, but does not mention conditional disscharge, do you think conditional disscharge is a possibility. I'm just not sure wheather to just plead guilty and take it on the chin, or spend money on a solicitor and fight it.

Is it possible to get a caution once it goes to court?

Thanks ErikaPNP that's some sound advice. Just so you know here is the exact wording of the charge in the letter. Charge On or about ** June 2011, RHYS01 for the purpose of obtainig jobseekers allowence, made a false representation in a customer statement namely that the information given was correct and complete whereas he failed to provide the information that he had capital in excess of the prescribed limits, Contrary to Section 112(1)(a) of the Social Security Administration Act 1992. Also when the investigation was going on, they requested evidence about the £10000 I had in savings, and I went to the bank to get evidence that showed that my grandmother had put it in for me for the purpose of paying of student loans when I had finnished my course, and that the account could not be accessed until matured. There is one other thing to add to this although it has not come up in the charges it did come up in the interview. Two years ago before starting my second degree, I signed on to JSA only for 6 weeks, the total amout claimed was like £350. I did have the savings account I could not access, but no other money, and my account was constantly overdrawn. At this time I was like 21 and had no Idea how the system worked.

Thanks Pam Dell, I appreciate you breaking down my options. I will vistit the CAB asap to get some contacts. You said I will probably get a conviction and a criminal record, I have been trying to prepare myself for that for the best part of a year, what sort of punishment would you say is likely? Would a conditional discharge be out of the question? I'm really worried about how this will affect my career, I barely make a living as it is. I know what you mean biggreenforest, I payed back all of the money, and worried myself sick about this for a year and the punishment is still to come all for about £1500 (the actual amount I thought I claimed before they payed in the amount for the time the claim was frozen). I made a mistake and punishment is in order, but it should fit the crime. I feel my lack of experience early on has allowed them to maximise the crime. Thanks Honeybee13, your advice is really appreciated.

Also as soon as the money in my savings is released It needs to pay the bank loan.

Thanks for the advice, the problem is I don't have enough money for legal advice. I am £1500 overdrawn in my bank account, I do have £10000 in a savings account but cannot get access to this until december. Could the citizens advice bureau help?

Hi Guys, I could really use some advice with a situation I have, so any advice would be appreciated. Last November I was asked to attend an interview under caution for overpayment of Jobseekers allowence, Housing Benifit and Council tax benifit. The total amount claimed amounted to £2290, of which the whole amount was considered an overpayment as I had savings of £15000 - 16000. I attended the interview and told them that I had failed to declare savings, but also I had not declared a £10000 bank loan I was paying back for my masters degree, basically making the point that although it appeared I had a lot I had a lot of bills and loans to pay off and absolutley no income and had no idea when I would be employed. Last March and April the JSA, CTB, and HB requested the money back, I payed back all of the money in full as soon as they requested it, now at the begining of this month I have received a court letter saying I must attend court at the end of this month. The other thing to add is that I had no intention of signing on for more than 12 weeks, I had just finished university and only intended to sign on briefly, then on the 12th week they said they had frozen my benifit and were investigating my claim. I presumed frozen meant canceled but when I spoke to a free solicitor she said to call the JSA and officially cancel. I did this then at the end of the month the paid me in two lumps JSA CTB and HB for the 4-5 weeks they had frozen my account! This amounted to £500 to £600 I had not intended to claim. I am very worried, I have just finished studying 5 years of architecture and I fear my career may be ruined if I have a criminal record. I made a mistake payed back the money in full and have dealt with the stress of this for almost a year and I fear this is going to hit me in the only positive area of my life. Not sure what to do if I had a prison sentence, If anybody could please help I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you for your time.