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Trusting council with my data

Amazonianup

The council said i could have help to clean but i dont really want it and i have been very ill with pain thats why things got bad. My issue is twice i tried to give 6 months bank statements the first time i had error from bank 'general error' and i lost lost login as i clear cookies to try access bank but it wiped my ref number.

Then they was eager to help (unlike council) getting my ref number with her calling them. She was then was about to send them but i saw she downloaded 8 not the 6 months required without my consent and i had counted them and asked why she said 'its good to be sure' (yh but who? and why? i somehow treated differently than others). If i hadnt of counted and the email worked there and then when she tried to get it to work i would have sent them. I havent done anything wrong and if i dont need to legally send 2 extra why should i? It already has felt like my privacy invaded when they looked at my place.

The thing is i dont really trust councils as they do lie and get things wrong ie i was homeless and even if they didnt want to see me as needing as much help as someone vulnerable i could have died when frozen locks meant i was unable to get out my car after night outside. Im now worried because she works at council and tried to send 8 months and not 6 that i have no trust if they see something like i went to one-stop had something to drink and sit down before i went to co-op on the same street as my daily shop because due to motivation or having stomach pain and i take a rest they will say that i some how shop twice a day and create more issues for me.

What also makes me uneasey is she must have saw that my puppy 'had' a wash at groomers because she said he looked so clean fur and his teeth very white after i let her look at my bank statement etc i had left room. I have a card from the groomers giving me a future appointment date. I told her he hasnt been washed since i have had him his belly is dirty. I said hes booked in because i wanted his nails done. Im very concerned what they will do with my bankstatement and data.

I was not worried at start about them seeing anything before as i had tried to send them and i have done nothing wrong and accept that i would pay for help but i dont really want someone in my place if at all or often. Im just so sure not being able to send them is a sign. I really think the council could really end up doing alot of damage and put me at risk with the whole benefit thing going on. I do in truth need help when im in pain to clean.

What do you think or would do about this?

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Comments

Albus_Alumni

Hi @Amazonianup could you please clarify something for me? Do you mean the DWP are asking for your bank statements, or are the council asking for them?

And please do not give your bank details out to anyone else, write them down so you can remember them so you will have a reminder if you forget, but never give them to strangers.

Amazonianup

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1068998#Comment_1068998

The council want them. I don't understand why need them my benefit statement with UC saids im not working. I use money for food and bills etc.

Rosie_Scope

Is this part of a financial assessment for your care @Amazonianup?

If you're not sure why your council wants to see them, could you ask whoever it is you're dealing with?

Amazonianup

I think its financial assessment but im not sure why they would want if i dont work? and i am on UC

Kimi87

Everyone assessed as needing care/support has to then have a financial assessment.

They'll then be told how much, if anything they have to pay towards that care.

Just because your income comes from Universal Credit doesn't exclude you from having a financial assessment.

https://www.nhs.uk/social-care-and-support/money-work-and-benefits/when-the-council-might-pay-for-your-care/

Amazonianup

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1069032#Comment_1069032

You have not read my first post. I wasnt against it.

Kimi87

I was replying to your last post, where you were asking why a financial assessment when you don't work and receive UC. They still need to verify your income and amount in bank accounts.

Amazonianup

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1069040#Comment_1069040

I accepted i have a financial assessment. I was going to do what needed. UC already have my up to date status as they record income and outcome. I have not had to declare or had any extra income so i have what UC gave me. I cant have savings because UC would know this and take money away. Thats i think its a bit much. It doesnt explain why she wanted to take 8 months instead of 6 without my knowledge. If its not on income they are looking for i dont want to be judged how i spend my money its very personal.

Rachel_Scope

Hi @Amazonianup. I've been reading through your posts and think that this information might be useful for you https://www.scope.org.uk/advice-and-support/financial-assessment-for-social-care It explains what they look at in your bank statements and decide how much, if anything, you need to contribute to your care. They do not look at your day-to-day expenses, such as food shopping or the dog groomers, so please don't worry about that.

I have looked into the reason for taking 8 months statements instead of 6 and I found that some councils ask for up to 12 months of statements. If that's not the case for you, I would contact the person who took your bank statements to see if you can get the extra ones sent back to you.

I hope that's been helpful. Let us know if you need more help.

Amazonianup

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1069142#Comment_1069142

Can i ask them not to share my data or only ask for them if i qualify for help. I want to keep control of it.

Rachel_Scope

Hi @Amazonianup. I've found their Personal Information Charter which tells you how and why they use your data. It explains who they share your data with.

With regards to asking them not to share your data, I'm not sure whether you are able to do this. The website says this about processing your data:

"DWP processes personal data because we are required to by law, because it is the function of DWP to do so, or because it is in the public interest. Where this is the case we do not need your consent.

We may sometimes ask for your permission or consent to do something, but only when you have a genuine choice about it. Most of the time – for example when you claim a benefit – you have to provide us with the information we need to see if you are entitled to it, and DWP is required to use that data"

I understand you want to keep control of your data, but unfortunately it's difficult to do so when applying for benefits as the DWP needs to make checks. Is there something in particular that's making you worry about them having your data?

Amazonianup

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1069626#Comment_1069626

Its not i dont understand they have to check income if the situation has not changed but i havent reported changes to my situation so my income is the same (UC) and hasnt changed but its like disabled are guilty until proven innocent like every so many years with a stress assessment. I really dont want to have to talk to these people about anything. This would actually give them something to say anything they want about something to make a reason to just harass and stress me to they kill me. Im not aware of any assessor thats held accountable for anything or been put in prison for manslaughter or causing serious harm. Mine certainly wasnt. They just say and do what they like as part of the process to make you give up or seriously ill unable to function. I really cant and dont talk to them anymore and never want to.

Amazonianup

Its even more worrying they use AI what could possibly go wrong with that? Countries use AI for drones and say it wasnt me it was AI. Honestly i think even ralking to them about the issue would just make them say this is a reason to doubt you. Im in enough pain at moment without this also.

Amazonianup

I was told by council they help me pay own money for service instead of financial assessment and then send a letter saying because im paying no assessment they dont help me anything just drop you. Since talking to them i have been harassed by UC. I thank God who was helping me not to deal with them by stopping access because of issues with bank to get statements. When God speaks i will continue to listen and obey it was not a coincidence. Never trusting Council or UC again.