will the DWP automatically contact me in April for this new mandatory "every 6 month check"

System

This discussion was created from comments split from: my name is Marimo -DWP giving out mixed messages, clarification needed please.

deelee

@Albus_Scope Hi I hope you are well …I am not sure where to ask this question and I tried to a few hours earlier but not sure if I posted it or not…so will try again… I am extremely confused by something I heard on the news regarding all claimants of UC needing to declare their circumstances every 6 months, starting from April 2025 and it was discussed in 2024. This would mean declaring I assume any changes in circumstances like rent changes, job changes, bank balance changes and health changes and they said all users of UC would need to do this. I can not recall if we are to do this when prompted every 6 months or they will get in touch with you. I am in the group that does not need to look for work and I had a PIP review a year ago and my UC review in 2019. My savings have gone down substantially the last few years as I had to pay for dentistry and also taxi fares to get to hospital visits and I have to pay my landlord up front for 6 months rent. As a result my bank balance will be reduced by 6000. My question is will the DWP automatically contact me in April for this new mandatory "every 6 month check" or do I need to go to them and do it independently? I will need to update them that my rent is going up significantly in April and paid in advance every 6 months, and do I volunteer to them that my savings have gone down substantially due to an allergic reaction and denistry ( private because no dentists ) I had had some savings from when my claim first started which were 0ver 6000. Does this need to be declared? I hope this makes sense …thanks Deb

Albus_Scope

Heya @deelee I've split your question off so it's in it's own discussion now, so as not to confuse people on the other discussion, I hope that's ok. 😊

I'm afraid I've not heard anything about these changes. Can I ask which news you saw it all on please? But for how things are now, if there's any changes to your income or outcome, it's always best to let UC know about them. It can save a lot of hassle down the road!

deelee

Hey @Albus_Scope 🖐️Thanks for doing that for me…I can never really tell where to add or ask a question. I heard it on a radio news broadcast on BBC on Thursday or Friday. I could not tell if it only applied to people who were working and claiming UC or unemployed claiming UC or those who are not well enough to look for work and claiming PIP. I have googled it and it does come up on msn and yahoo news - I am afraid I dont know how to get the copy of it to place here…it does apear vague. A minister asked a question about what was discussed back in 2024 about getting people to declare their circumstances every 6 months and the reply was yes starting in April 2025. I think the radio said they may prompt anyone who has not done this in the last 6 months. I would assume they would be checking bank statements as well as health and rental increases etc…As my savings have been depleted over the last 2 months rapidly I was not sure if I needed to tell them. It is clear that I have had to pay my landlord and dentist. I just dread the contact with them but I guess it is better to do so just in case.

Thanks for your advice…

noonebelieves

@Albus_Scope @deelee

I came across this too here ,but looks like a proposal yet to be announced ?

carbow32

I haven't heard it but I would of thought a message will appear on the UC Journal and then people will have to respond to that.

deelee

@carbow32 @noonebelieves

Thanks for your responses 😀

Kimi87

I also think this reads like an automated prompt will be added to people's To Do lists. Like a Yes/No question.

deelee

Thanks kimmy87

IrishManc

since my own later in life diagnosis of autism in 2021 at age 54 now where there is no support, not even the (most basic) properly carried out post diagnosis assessment to assess type and level of autism, which unlocks access to appropriate adult autism support and for support needs, I have discovered that there is very little support out there, both public and private, overly focused on children, because society in general point-blank refuses to understand disability and mental health, especially hidden disabilities - to me, this is an ethical and moral issue in a (supposedly) compassionate and caring society, underpinned by Christian moral and ethical values - we know that there are very little jobs out there, as businesses are already struggling in the current economy and can’t afford to take on new employees, even with government incentives - and they certainly can’t afford to take on the additional responsibilities of employing sick and disabled people, neither do they have the time to be “hand-holding” people who have disabilities nor have mental health issues - this current Labour government, already “wanting to have their cake and eat it” in implementing former cruel Tory policies regarding people on benefits, sick and disabled people, who simply cannot work, where working would make their conditions and disabilities far worse, are cementing their reputation of being the “nasty party” and via the DWP, are unethically trying to reduce the number of people on benefits for no valid reason, regardless of individual circumstances - they are tone deaf, because even the UN has ruled against them on human rights grounds, so it’s very clear that they simply do not care about the ethical and moral implications of these latest moves

noonebelieves

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/993433#Comment_993433

You are welcome @deelee , I know it’s very hard, but try to switch off from the news—it can be overwhelming otherwise, as it has practically become the manifesto of the current Labour government.
Take care.

noonebelieves

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/993435#Comment_993435

yes @Kimmy87 , it surely sounds like that

anisty

I think it depends where you live @IrishManc - autism levels aren't that useful really and you can probably work out what levels you are at from your own report.

Where i am in Scotland, the support's really good for adults of all ages. We have a drop in centre open every day through the week that puts on a full programme of social things plus helps out with benefits, work and housing.

My own son - 26 - my heart sank when i read his UC 50 medical report - written off from work at 21!!

5 yrs later he is in paid work! Supported, and only a few hours but he is earning. And he does voluntary work the rest of the week. He will never be able to live independently, drive or anything like that so to have managed this well is amazing.

My eldest son - he did go to England for work but got trained up on the forklifts and he's doing ok.

I do agree with the heart of what you're saying though for sure. And my eldest is only 32 (also autistic and full time self employed)

Maybe by 54, their stories will have changed but there is a lot going on in some of our cities for autistic people.