Uc - worried about review due to loans

traceyb01

Hi over 8 months I was totally isolated and im housebound with copd. My mental health took a dive. Over 8 months I randomly borrowed off a friend which totalled 11k but I never had over 5k in my bank over any uc assessment period. I spent most of it on alcohol as im an alcoholic and buying on line games. My review phone call is next week. Will they stop my money even though my bank statements show i never had over 6k in any month? Obviously the loans show in my statements. Ive nothing to hide and not borrowed for 5 months now as im getting help.

Rosie_Scope

Hi @traceyb01, sorry to hear you had a rough time with your mental health, but it's good to hear that you're getting some help. How are you doing now, are you coping okay?

If your money didn't go about £6,000, it shouldn't be too much of an issue. They may ask about some of your transactions, so just try to be as open and honest as you can if they ask about it. They will have dealt with all sorts of people before, so please don't feel embarrassed or ashamed of the way you were coping when you weren't well.

Even if they do find you've been overpaid, the next course of action is usually to work out a payment plan to pay it back. That would mean they might reduce your future payments as you pay back anything you owe over a set period of time. But it doesn't sound like this would be the case for you as you never went above the limits. It's unlikely that they'd just stop your payments completely without a really good reason.

Reviews are never the nicest thing to deal with, but hopefully it'll all go through smoothly for you and without too much added stress ☺️

traceyb01

Rosie_Scope

Not doing too good.ive hidden nothing from them. The adult social care have been asked to get in touch with me. It was a terrible 8 months. I had no human contact and rarely any phone calls. I had no support at all so I hit the drink and on lone games. It was random amounts from £30 to £450 but never over 6 k not even including my benefits on top of what I borrowed each time. Like I said they can see ive not borrowed for 5 months now.

Emilee

They may look at the loans and ask more about them, as they will want to check the payments into your account were not for undeclared work. Do you have any sort of evidence from your friend that they have loaned you the money?

traceyb01

Emilee

My friend is sending me an e mail over the weekend stating how much he lent me each month and that it is a loan not a gift. I can't work as im housebound with copd on been on lwrca. I get pip as well for my illness.

Rachel_Scope

That's a good idea @traceyb01. Do you get any support for your alcoholism?

traceyb01

I don't as im housebound. Im in a vicious circle. But ive not borrowed since end of Jan so I have cut down. Im just worried my money will stop

Rachel_Scope

Here is a list of resources that may help https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/alcohol-advice/alcohol-support/#:~:text=Useful%20contacts%20for%20alcohol%20problems,a%20free%20self%2Dhelp%20group. . I'd encourage you to try them and hopefully there'll be something that meets your needs.

Your money shouldn't stop as you haven't gone over the savings threshold. Here's some information about managing debts and money https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/debt-and-money/

traceyb01

My friend sent me this to send to uc as proof

[Removed by moderator - personal details]

Rachel_Scope

Hi @traceyb01 I've just had to delete the image as it contains personal information. The email looks good as it explains the loan conditions and I'm sure if UC have anymore questions about it they would contact your friend. Please try not to worry too much.

traceyb01

This is what I had

Screenshot_20260621_122702_WhatsApp.jpg

Rachel_Scope

Hi @traceyb01. Please don't think that you need to explain yourself to us. Those amounts are absolutely fine and you have your friends email as evidence. Are you managing to stay cool in this heat?