Stressed and worried

Frank69

I’m now being asked for bank statements going back to when my savings went over £6k

When I first made my claim it was when we went into covid

I had savings of about £10k

My claim seemed to go through no problem but now I’m worried as I see in my universal statement for last payment that I said I have £0.00 savings

I was sure I had said my savings were between £6-£16k

I’m so worried I’ve committed fraud

Any help or advice please

Kimi87

The absolute worst that would happen is you'd need to repay any overpayment on top of a small fine (£50).

It may help for you to talk to a trained benefits advisor.

https://advicelocal.uk/welfare-benefits

You could request a copy of your personal data from DWP to see what was declared by you originally.

It helps to be specific, so you could give the date you applied for UC (which will be at the bottom of your Journal entries if you can't remember), and say you want a copy of your completed Money, Savings and Investments application declaration.

https://secure.dwp.gov.uk/personal-information-request/name

Frank69

Frank69

I’m still really worried about my situation

I’ve viewed a rescent UC online statement which breaks down my payment

It states that I receive this allowance cause I have £0.00 in savings

I don’t know why I didn’t submit my savings that were £10k at the time

They will know this now as I’m under review

I’m really worried mow

anisty

Loads of people are in the same boat as you. Worry not. Yes, technically you have comitted fraud but this won't go any further than you paying back what you owe with a £50 fine on top.

They simply recalculate your claim, adjust your payments to reclaim what's owed and that's all there is to it.

It does take months to sort out though - up to a year seems common.

Frank69

I’m happy to pay back every penny

I read so much stuff online pointing towards going to jail

This has me so scared

Whether the believe me that it was something I done unintentionally

I’m on a zero hours contract

So I do work as much as I can

Catherine21

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1022003#Comment_1022003

Do they leave you a year without money until it's sorted

Frank69

I just want to give the money back and hope they don’t think I was claiming fraudulently

I don’t wanna go prison 😞

OverlyAnxious

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1022031#Comment_1022031

You won't go to prison for this.

anisty

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1022029#Comment_1022029

No. I can't recall off the top of my head what it is but they have to, by law, leave you with a certain amount to live on. They can only take a percentage and i have heard (no personal experience) that DWP debt management are very reasonable, knowledgeable and helpful.

At the end of the day, they just want the money back and it's not in their interests to prosecute or make life difficult for any claimant willing to pay it back.

Work with them and they will help you.

Frank69

there are a lot of indication online that it’s fraud and I’m just hoping even though it’s a large amount they will except me paying it back and it won’t go any further

anisty

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1022207#Comment_1022207

It won't go any further.

Unfortunately the DWP definition of fraud covers everyone that has received too much money! Whether it's a totally innocent mistake by the claimant, or a deliberate ploy to extract money out of the system - DWP call it all fraud.

You just need to keep in mind that the horrible language DWP use to make you feel like a criminal - it's been designed that way and it's just computers spitting out these letters by the thousand. Any letters you get haven't been scripted specifically for you - they are templates and your name is inserted.

Same with phone calls - they have scripted key words and phrases chosen to make you feel like a criminal. Once they have realised you had no intention to defraud, you will be treated more like a human.

It is just a system. Please try just to keep calm whilst the system goes through its processes.

Frank69

thanks for your reply

Frank69

I’m worried they have found this out through a normal review

I sent bank statements which show savings well above the £16k which has grown since 2022

Also I’ve never recalled sending statements before cause I’d not have been entitled to as much

Again it points towards me commuting fraud which I never intended

anisty

You will have questions to answer if it has been over 16k for a while - but the fact it's sitting there in your account could go in your favour - that's far more likely to be looked upon as an oversight or not knowing about the 16k limit than if you had multiple secret bank accounts.

Honestly, SO many people are in the exact same boat at you. It is not in their interests to prosecute. They want the money back as cheaply as possible. And you are willing to pay back so what would be the point in prosecution?

Unfortunately, as your capital is more than 16k, you are not entitled to UC. So they can't recoup the money owed from UC going forward.

The good news is - your capital will reduce when you pay back. And then you will be entitled to UC again.

Did you receive all the Cost of Living payments? They are permanantly disregarded if you didn't spend them. There could be £1850 if you got them all to deduct from your total capital. Does that bring your balance back under 16k?

DWP know that a lot of claims have gone wrong due to lack of regular reviews during covid. As long as you are honest with them, you really will just get a bill for what you owe. If your bill is very large, manageable installments can be worked out. They aren't allowed to leave you in hardship paying back.

Remember you can get help from Welfare Rights (through your local council, free of charge)

Citizens Advice (free)

Turn2Us (free)

Only if you are asked to attend an interview under caution is it getting serious - then you need legal help.

I don't think that will happen though. Just be upfront and honest. Take it step by step. It will work out you'll see.

Frank69

thank you

I think the claims period is at least back to2022

I was under 16k but I didn’t declare anything

Don’t know why

But since 2022 I’ve revived over 11k

The other thing is I’ve never been asked for bank statements till now to my knowledge