Universal Credit Bank Reviews: Frequently Asked Questions

julesluk65

@Kimi87 hi ty for replying I only have one property which is where son lives I’m actually living with a friend renting room basically reason been I can’t live on my own due to having health issues I suffer with bipolar disorder and very bad anxiety amongst other things

mo66

Hi

I had a review of my bank statements in February 2025. They asked sone questions, and afterwards mu payments have continued normally. However I'm concerned they didn't tell me that the revie had concluded now. I just didn't hear back from them.

Is that normal?.

mo66

Carpy

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1018586#Comment_1018586

It should say on your journal,i had my review recently and got this 5 mins after phone call ended.

Your Universal Credit Claim Review is now complete.Following our interview, and the information you provided, we can confirm there is no change to your Universal Credit.

julesluk65

hi got message today saying I have a telephone appointment for next Monday in regards to my review I checked my journal it said same n it’s to discuss my claim and further evidence but not sure what kind of evidence maybe more statements or could it be about my health?

Rosie_Scope

Hi @julesluk65, this can sometimes be more statements or to ask you a few more questions about things. They should explain on the call what you'll need to do if anything. Hope it goes okay!

LM28

I’ve just had a notification through on my journal that my UC is being reviewed and I only had a review towards the end of 2023! I didn’t think I’d be having another one so soon again…

Rosie_Scope

Sorry to hear that @LM28, a couple of people have mentioned they've been picked for reviews quite soon after their last. Hopefully it's all over quickly and they won't bother you again for a while.

LM28

Thank you @Rosie_Scope - I know it’s done by random but it seems a little unfair/strange that I know people who have never had reviews and I’m going to be having two in the space of a year and a half.

verityc

What are they looking for giving 4 months bank statements for? Anyone know?

verityc

verityc

Hi can you tell me if it's normal for u.c. not to include the extra top up for people that are severely disabled? I have received it with e.s.a. and when I messaged about it all I got was they're still going through my payments. My payment has been delayed. Thankyou

Kimi87

Yes it can be normal for Transitional Protection to be missing from your first statement.

Once this has been sorted out, a letter will be added to your Journal stating the amount owed due to underpayment. Payment will then follow within a few working days.

verityc

Thankyou! 🤞

knucklehead

ok, I applied for UC on 15th May as I have been forced to do a managed migration. I went through all the questions and answered them. A couple of days ago I remembered I've got an old bank account that I never use, it was opened about 18 months ago only because of a switch incentive of £200 for opening it. It has got £1 in it to keep the account open. It makes absolutely no difference to my finances. Do I need to let them know about it and if so, how do I do that ? Thanks

OverlyAnxious

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1033475#Comment_1033475

Legally and technically - yes you should tell them about it.

In reality, as long as you have under £6000 total savings, it won't make a difference and most people wouldn't declare it. If it was mine I'd probably just close it just to save future hassle.

If you get reviewed then you should send them statements from that account.

If you have to declare savings at any point (either due to going over £6k, or just because UC ask you to) then it is very easy to add another account when making the savings declaration. When you start the savings form, it asks how many bank accounts you have.

knucklehead

Thank you for help

SM9346

Hi everyone, I’ve just seen these 2 threads on Reddit about the reviews. People are being asked why they went to different supermarkets and how much they spent on each. Plus also being asked about uploading other people’s bank statements!!!

If those are true, DWP will have its own post office scandal soon. As they’re breaking the law with this. Noticed how the “verified” workers etc on there are nowhere to be seen on those threads.

https://www.reddit.com/r/BenefitsAdviceUK/comments/1ljgm4a/uc_review_nightmare/

https://www.reddit.com/r/universalcredithelp/comments/1lj9i9l/uc_review/

Grumpy1314

They can try and look at my bank accounts, but they can come with a court order. As I’m living in the breadline, month to month, I rarely have a brass tac in the bank, but I’ve nothing to hide. But they can try as hard as they want to do as they will be infringing on my human rights and invading my privacy by doing so. I can’t physically give them however many months bank statements as I’ve changed bank in April. I absolutely loath and detest all this Big Brother is watching you 👀

I personally had a good friend who told me that to disguise the amount he had in his bank, he had moved money around so as to avoid being found out! Fair to say I’m not friends with him anymore.

SM9346

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1041859#Comment_1041859

I send money to my parents every week, nothing large. But it’s to help with shopping as even though I get most of my own shopping (smaller items). I can’t carry large shopping items due to my disability. So my parents get those larger items of shopping for me every week.

If some DWP agent is gonna criticise or judge that. I’ll be making a complaint.