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Being told to attend face to face at job centre or claim will be closed because of PIP back payment.

worried33

I updated my record on UC because PIP took me over 6k, and posted a note saying its a PIP back payment, the portal automatically discounted the PIP payment and showed a balance as if it wasnt there.

Since then I got a message demanding I attend with proof to face to face appointment, it would be really difficult for me to do this, I offered to provide it online, and got a reply saying if I dont attend this appointment the claim will be terminated, also a threat of fine and prosecution, I would appreciate any advice.

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OverlyAnxious

Hi,

You need to speak to someone higher up at the Job Centre. If you can phone UC to ask for that it would be ideal. If not, you'll have to do it through the journal again. (Maybe try it under a different message section).

This is the first time I've heard of this happening after updating capital so it's not the norm. And they should make adjustments if you can't get to the Job Centre anyway. If this was from a work coach it sounds like they're just making up rubbish again.

worried33

I phoned UC, and the lady said she couldnt do anything its up to the work coach. It looks like I am going to have to somehow go down there. I thought UC was fully online, and its odd they need me to send proof of something the DWP did.

OverlyAnxious

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/982192#Comment_982192

You need someone above the work coach at your local branch ideally. Sounds like the UC call handler wasn't helpful at all.

There's no way I could get to a Job Centre now (or for the past 5 years) so I would need an adjustment if the same happened to me. They cannot force you to a Job Centre if you're physically unable to get there.

Although both are DWP, PIP & UC don't work together so I'm not surprised about needing to send proof.

worried33

How do I speak to someone higher? I actually think I may collapse it would be a real problem.

The call handler just said she was there to give basic advice and it was down to my work coach.

OverlyAnxious

Sadly UC calls are all put through to one central hub now. They don't go directly to each Job Centre. The call handlers can write on your journal, and could have put a message to your work coach to back up your concerns about attending. You could try calling again and hope you get a more helpful call handler next time.

For mine, I just kept trying to explain through the journal, and did eventually get passed on to someone 'senior' who made decisions above the work coach. There isn't a direct way to do it that I know of unfortunately.

worried33

Thank you I will try that.

keira

Apparently if you want to route your UC journal message to a Case Manager then when you have typed your message in the drop down menu choose "payment" and it will go to them and not to a Work Coach.

poppy123456

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/982386#Comment_982386

Also putting it under "service issues" will also mean it will be seen by a case manager, rather than a work coach.

Although worried33 has no work coach because they have LCWRA. My thoughts here is that the messages on the journal are from someone from the service centre. These people very often haven't got a single clue what they are doing or talking about. I've seen some appalling advice coming from the service centre.

worried33

Thank you guys, the only new reply I have got is saying I dont need to send proof of the PIP back payment, they just want proof of savings. But they havent addressed the adjustments I want, I dont mind giving them this evidence, I just think they could do a home visit or something.

letitbe

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/982603#Comment_982603

I’ll be going over 6K soon and I’ll have to update this on my journal - I’ll probably have to go into a job centre with my statements as well - have they given you a date when you have to go in ? How many months statements do you have to take in ?

worried33

Monday, they gave me a week notice. 3 months. I looked at what the normal process is, and a lot of websites including gov.uk are saying the standard process is to upload followed by a phone appointment.

I posted the link to the gov.uk page on the journal under service issues and specifically mentioned reasonable adjustments.

anisty

The upload and phone appointment is a separate team - the review team based in Swindon.

I had this - Swindon team contacted me for 4 months statements but once they found i was over the 16k, i was called in to my local job centre with statements (even though i had uploaded statements to their system, i was asked to bring in the exact same statements as paper statements)

The very next day, claim closed which a real pain as it means any more statements they need, i'm going to need to post them unless they can send me an email link.

I think it's when savings go over 6k for the first time, or 16k, they want to see you.

Makes no sense to me but i was called in when i first declared over 6k. And then again at over 16k.

letitbe

this all really stresses me out

letitbe

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/982826#Comment_982826

I hope they’ll allow us to upload rather than go in

OverlyAnxious

For reference, I just want to add again that I was never asked to provide statements when my savings went over £6,000.

worried33

I got a feeling i am going to be interrogated about expenditure, in the last 10 minutes I have read multiple posts about people being asked about outgoings that should be none of the DWP's business. If they think I am spending money on something not important they will deduct it from my UC?

Here is the wording of the first journal entry. Seems evident from the wording the reporting change triggered it? I will still be taking the PIP letter even with the later journal reply saying it isnt needed.
Your Universal Credit claim will be closed if you do not attend the job centre and provide the listed information below before ……. Types of proof we will accept: We need to see proof of your money, savings and investments. This must:

be from the date the change was reported
include all the money, savings and investments you have told us about Have this proof ready for the appointment. Your Universal Credit claim will be closed if you do not attend your appointment. Types of proof we will accept:
statements from the past 3 months for bank account ending XXXX
letter or bank statement showing late or backdated benefit payment If you have any other money, savings or investments, such as a trust, you must tell us. Send us a journal message with the details. We will then let you know what evidence to provide at your appointment. You may be prosecuted or have to pay a fine if you give wrong or incomplete information.

OverlyAnxious

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/982887#Comment_982887

As long as the spending is 'reasonable within your circumstances' then it shouldn't be classed as deprivation.

Deprivation is really about purposely spending money to keep below the savings limits. As long as you're not doing that, you're not doing anything wrong. Obviously there is a grey area here, as they might decide that buying a top branded item is deprivation, when most people in your circumstances would have bought a midrange item, just for example.

If any spend does get classed as deprivation then you are treated as still having that amount of capital. They would not deduct the full amount from your UC, it is just treated as capital, so £4.35 off for every £250 over £6k. You can appeal the decision if you disagree with it.

worried33

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/982909#Comment_982909

I think I understand what you saying, my two most recent impulse purchases are a hisense tv which was on black friday sale, (cheap brand and on sale), and a new washing machine in january because my old one stopped working (cheap indesit brand). Most of my spending is things I do regularly from month to month. Naturally I would spend less if my finances were in a worse state, so spending more when a balance is higher is not unusual behaviour, as long as they recognise that, then fair enough.

OverlyAnxious

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/982912#Comment_982912

Neither of those things should be considered deprivation. They are normal things that other people would buy in similar circumstances.

letitbe

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/982912#Comment_982912

I wouldn’t worry about those things at all .
part of my MH condition causes me to impulse spend and when it’s bad i can literally spend so much on stupid stuff I don’t even need .