Hi, my name is Clickyknees60s! Are these checks legal?

Clickyknees60s

My local job centre have requested that I provide them with a copy of my passport and four months bank statements 'to check you are receiving the correct amount of benefit'. I have been on Universal Credit for four years which includes LCWRA (three years) and PIP (awarded eighteen months ago on appeal; claim submitted September 2021), mobility awarded (at recent review). Both PIP components at lower rate. The only other income I have is a small occupational pension from the DWP itself (administered by Capita or whoever has the contract now). The jobcentre are aware of it as they deduct penny for penny from my universal credit. I have downloaded my bank statements, which they have requested by Thursday (21st) but on reading posts on this forum and others, I am questioning if they are legally entitled to do as there is no suggestion that I have savings that disentitle me to Universal Credit or spend time abroad. No suspicious circumstances to warrant this intrusion. Any feedback will be appreciated.

durhamjaide2001

hi and first of all I want to welcome you to this forum. Second of all I want to suggest to you to go and visit the coffee lounge or games room for some fun

Rosie_Scope

Hi @Clickyknees60s, welcome to the community. Lots of these checks are being done at the moment, it doesn't mean that your account was flagged suspicious in any way. They are reviewing people's ID and checking that everyone is still within the limits for savings. They're checking people at random, so it's nothing you've done wrong.

It can feel really intrusive to have your accounts looked at, but many members have said that it was a straightforward process and they were left alone once the reviews were completed.

Hopefully yours goes by without a hitch and it can all carry on as normal.