Spent capital and now reclaiming

Laura24

Hi, just over a year ago I received a large amount of money from a house sale after a long/messy divorce. I stopped claiming UC and told them and have lived on it for a year (rent and spending), paid debts for divorce etc to my mum and bought everything to completely furnish a rented house for me and my kids as we had nothing, we had 2 holidays as had a rough few years and I had a operation privately needed for my health. I’ve bought clothes for us we could never afford too. I’ve always had to watch my money and this year I lived without doing that. I have now got savings of under £16,000 and have put in a claim for UC. They are saying it’s gone to a decision maker as such a large sum spent in a year…I’m now scared stiff I’m not going to get anything until it’s under £6,000 or will I never get UC because I’ve been a bit carefree and lived! Keep reading about deprived capital and notional capital and don’t understand it, I’m just after some advice because I’m full of worry and anxiety now, I think I also spent money because I wanted to feel good (mental health) but now I’m feeling terrible and scared of outcome. Has anyone had anything similar?
I know it wasn’t wise what I’ve done really but can’t undo it now.

poppy123456

This is perfectly normal for it to go to a decision maker for them to decide if it's possible to continue with your claim. They may also ask for bank statements too.

Deprivation of capital is when you spend your money in order to be able to reclaim means tested benefits. For example, if you bought expensive things or you gave you money away, had expensive holidays etc.

All you can at the moment is wait for a decision to be made.

Laura24

Ok thank you, I definitely did not spend it to claim again so soon so am hoping they see that wasn’t the reason, they have bank statements already. I thought they would have wanted to speak to me but haven’t yet, my statement was supposed to be generated today but wasn’t…no idea how long I will have to wait either?

Jimm_Alumni

I couldn't give you a time scale on this, as it's not a review I know much about. I just wanted to mention that if the decision doesn't go your way you are still able to appeal the decision. You can put in a Mandatory Reconsideration, and then request a Tribunal if the MR doesn't succeed.

You can read more here about the appeals process, this is just incase the decision doesn't go your way: Appealing a benefits decision | Disability charity Scope UK