UC Review

Jackson87

I was contacted 2 months ago about a UC review. They asked for a phone call, then they asked for bank statements for 4 months, then wanted extra and then they called me last week and then asked for more statements and during the phone call they started asking about personal transactions… are they meant to be doing this for a regular UC review? Because I don’t understand why they need to ask such personal questions? Like full on questioning me why my own mother sent me money at Christmas… surly this can’t just be a review? And if they are investigating me I have no idea why as I’ve done absolutely nothing wrong. Has anyone else had this experience because it’s beginning to worry me that they’ll stop my money even though I’ve not done anything wrong (I have mh issues and it’s put such a worry on me for months now)

Kimi87

Yes unfortunately during these reviews they can and do question you about spending. It's a gross invasion of privacy and intrusive, but a condition of claiming UC.

They are doing millions of these checks, many on the forum including myself have been through one.

Jackson87

@Kimmy87 I was under the impression they could only start questioning your personal spending if they were investigating you.. They’ve made me feel like I’ve done something wrong when I haven’t. I don’t understand why it’s taken 2 months so far either… was yours this lengthy?

Kimi87

No they can and do question you about spending during these routine checks

https://www.gov.uk/universal-credit-reviews#:~:text=Your%20Universal%20Credit%20claim%20might,available%20in%20Welsh%20(Cymraeg).

No mine didn't take that long but it was done over a year ago. I've seen similar timescales to you posted on the forum recently.

Jackson87

@kimmy87

Thank you, I’ve just realised there’s a whole section about the reviews 🤦

Jackson87

@Danny123 I don’t know why they asked for it, they just asked and said they needed more to make sure we were being paid the correct amount…

I’ve got no savings, no isa, no nothing other than my bank account..

Jackson87

@Danny123 Yep, I did that last month, they asked for an extra 2 months which I gave them. They asked the same from my Wife too. It doesn’t make sense to me either. On the phone I asked them what happens next and the advisor said “I’ll ask you for more documentation if I need it and then make a decision” then ask for 4 months of my online saver account statements too even though there’s nothing in it.

Jackson87

which I provided*

Jackson87

@Danny123 I didn't provide it because they didn’t ask for it, they only asked for my bank account statements.

Hopefully it’s all sorted out soon because it’s been 2 months of waiting and sending documents etc and seems a bit lengthy to me.

Kimi87

When they ask for bank account statements, if you have more than one account statements must be given for all of them.

Even if there is no money in one- if it's open it counts as a bank account, as does an online saver account.

UC want to satisfy themselves you aren't hiding money and have undeclared capital I'm guessing, which may take you over the limits and reduce your UC entitlement thus effecting your payments.

Jackson87

Nope, they didn’t even question me about the saver account during the personal questions.

Jackson87

I’ve got nothing in there anyway which they can see so it’s not a problem, I was just answering Danny’s questions

Kimi87

From your replies you don't seem to have classed the online saver as a bank account?

It is a bank account and should have been declared when you were first asked for your bank account statements. That means any and all accounts. I have 2 current accounts and 1 savings account, so gave statements for them all.

Even with no money in an account the onus is on you to prove the zero balance with statements.

Jackson87

I have learning difficulties, forgive me for not understanding everything that is asked of me. Thanks for your help.

Jimm_Alumni

Does your work coach know about your learning difficulties @Jackson87? I feel like they could certainly explain what and why they were asking for certain things. As Kimmy87 has stated these are random checks to ensure people are compliant. They must have noticed a transfer to the savings account, even with nothing in it, they need to see some evidence that it has little in it.

Do you have anymore questions about any of this? Please don't hesitate to ask, there are no silly or obvious questions.