Universal credit review

sophie2002
sophie2002 Online Community Member Posts: 26 Listener

Hi sorry for repeating myself I've got a phone call with u/c about a review I'm now really worried as I opened a savings account but never declared it as u was under the impression you only declare over 6k now I'm scared the reason I opened a savings account is due to been paranoid about my bank account been scammed I'm very ocd paranoid about stuff like that so I used to put money in and take it out when needed ive never had over 6k combined I just didn't realise I'm so scared now I will get in to trouble I really don't want to be I just didn't think I very rarely look at my u/c and just get paid as normal my mental health is bad I know it's no excuse but I just didn't realise it would matter under 6k please any advise or help I'm so stressed I'm 22 and don't know what to do

Comments

  • Kimi87
    Kimi87 Online Community Member Posts: 5,116 Championing

    Did you read through the thread I linked to on your other thread?

    DWP generally are not bothered unless you have total capital of over £6k.

  • sophie2002
    sophie2002 Online Community Member Posts: 26 Listener

    Yes I read through but it says I should of declared savings but when I first claimed u/c I didn't i made a savings account due to my mental health and paranoid thoughts but my benefits and savings never went over 6k and I just didn't think I needed to tell them about it as it was under 6k but people have told me I will get in trouble now I'm so stressed about it I also need to ask will they need paypal info as I pay for a lot through PayPal don't have any money in it just use it instead of my bank details obviously due to paranoia thinking people will scam me and take all my money it's very complex is my brain

  • anisty
    anisty Online Community Member Posts: 810 Trailblazing

    As long as you don't have credit banked up in your Paypal, all fine. If you do, add it in to total capital.

    The reviews aren't threatening. It will be a friendly call and won't last long. You will be fine.

  • sophie2002
    sophie2002 Online Community Member Posts: 26 Listener

    Will they question my savings account though and why I didn't tell them do I need to send statement from them too or just my bank statements for now I've no money in my paypal it's just an easier safer way to pay PayPal take it straight out of my bank account when I purchase items I have a lot of paranoia trusting banks that's why I always transfer most of it over then put back in my account when I'm buying things some people have said they may fine me for not declaring a saving account but u thought it was only if over 6k combined u had to it's a genuine mistake I don't want to get in trouble

  • Carpy
    Carpy Online Community Member Posts: 215 Contributor

    You will need to declare all accounts that have money in them, you will be asked if you have a PayPal account and they will want you to provide details if you say yes you do have one whether yo u have money in it or not.

  • sophie2002
    sophie2002 Online Community Member Posts: 26 Listener

    So I just send my bank, savings and PayPal to them I'm just more worried about getting in trouble for not declaring I had a savings account I 100% know combined I've never had over 6k and when I've got col payments they went in my saving again just scared someone could get in my bank account and take it all it's the thoughts in my head that make me think this way just really panicking now .

    Also how do I get paypal I know it's on my phone but I don't think they do statements I'm stressed sorry just needing help

  • Carpy
    Carpy Online Community Member Posts: 215 Contributor

    Will this be the 1st call from UC about your review?

  • sophie2002
    sophie2002 Online Community Member Posts: 26 Listener

    Yes this is the very first review since claiming u/c

  • Carpy
    Carpy Online Community Member Posts: 215 Contributor

    They will talk to you about the review and ask you a few questions and what happens next, you will then get a message on your journal asking you to upload 4 months of bank statements, current account and savings account is what they will want to see and ID,passport or driving license.

    In the message will also be a date and time for another phone call to discuss the info that you will have uploaded, in that next call you will be asked a number of questions about any other accounts that you may have.

    If you answer yes to any of the questions asked, like do you have a PayPal account they will ask for statements whether you have any money in it or not.

  • sophie2002
    sophie2002 Online Community Member Posts: 26 Listener

    So I should just send my bank and savings account then I'm so scared I will get in trouble for not declaring my savings I just didn't realise you had to unless it was 6k I've got phone call next Tues just so worried I don't want to get in trouble someone said I may get fined but others say I didn't need to declare under 6k combined it's very confusing with my mental health

  • Carpy
    Carpy Online Community Member Posts: 215 Contributor

    If what money you have in all accounts is under 6k you will be fine, if they see something in your accounts that looks suspicious to them they will ask you about it because the reviews are also about possible fraud also, not just too see if you are under 6k.

  • sophie2002
    sophie2002 Online Community Member Posts: 26 Listener

    I understand that I buy stuff on shein and just eat pay for my phone and Spotify and send my mum money for food etc every month but never have any money going in my mate sent me 50 she owed but apart from that nothing really if I owe my friend like a tenner or something everything else goes through paypal I may take money out of my account when I'm going clothes shopping with my mum as I don't like taking my card due to been paranoid my mum saves my card so I know it's safe it's just scary sorry to go on just need that info I've nothing to hide I do put my money in my savings then draw it out when I need to that's all and they will see it's coming from me tback to me on my statements

  • Carpy
    Carpy Online Community Member Posts: 215 Contributor

    You have nothing to worry about then, go and do some shopping to take your mind off it.

  • sophie2002
    sophie2002 Online Community Member Posts: 26 Listener

    Thankyou I'm going to do some art work today and thanks for your advise I appreciate it

  • Silver925
    Silver925 Online Community Member Posts: 128 Empowering

    Hi,

    I am like you I have suffered with anxiety, depression and OCD all of my adult life and the way you spoke resonated with me. I just want to say please don't worry about this as I have read and as people above have stated as long as you don't have over £6000 you don't need to worry. The DWP are not interested in what you spend your money on either, that's your private business. I like others have more than one Current Account or Savings Accounts it doesn't matter only how much is in them. Just check regularly how much money is in them, that's all you need to do. If you haven't done anything wrong and you can explain any transaction they ask about, they will probably be satisfied. Try not to worry as others have said you only need to be concerned about capitol over £6000. Take Care

  • sophie2002
    sophie2002 Online Community Member Posts: 26 Listener

    It Is awful I've downloaded my bank statements to have a look and nothing goes in really only if I transfer a bit in to my savings and just my benefits bit that's it , most of it is impulse buying loads I bought a kindle and it's all books I've bought and takeaways clothes the odd busfare and train but nothing else my friend owed me 50 and i owed her 20 but that's it really I pay my mum 100 every month for food etc and that's it nothing wierd I'm just struggling with my savings account trying to get downloads for it I've had to email my bank and also will screen shots be enough to send them for paypal my aniexty is sky high now so I've been buying it's like a coping thing it's horrible

  • Kimi87
    Kimi87 Online Community Member Posts: 5,116 Championing

    You might not be asked for PayPal transactions. If you are you can generate a statement. https://www.paypal.com/uk/cshelp/article/how-do-i-view-and-download-statements-and-reports-help145

    I had a PP transaction on my bank statements, they asked and after I explained I use it to send money only that was the end. I wasn't asked for any statements.

  • sophie2002
    sophie2002 Online Community Member Posts: 26 Listener

    I will have a look now see if i can download it ,So They may not ask for it on my pay pal I don't have a single penny in my paypal account I just use it cos it's safer im very paranoid but I have lots of money going out with PayPal they take it straight out of my bank anyway I will try get my savings account one sorted with my bank just waiting for reply from them cos I'm having issues don't seem to be able to download with pdf I won't know what they will say anyway till Tues but it says review to make sure your getting correct money and documents will be needed but doesnt say what so I will try explain this when they phone me do they give you time to get information bank statements etc

  • Kimi87
    Kimi87 Online Community Member Posts: 5,116 Championing

    The first stage is the upcoming phone call where they will explain the process, and answer any questions you have.

    They will then ask for the information that they want. Yes you have time to give that information (I had 2 weeks but my review was some time ago September 2023)

    The standard request from them is ID & four months worth of bank statements for all bank accounts.

    After you submit the information they are looking for, you will have a telephone interview.

    You'll be asked a series of scripted questions about other potential sources of money, ISA's, PayPal, property, premium bonds etc.

    Then questions about some of your banking transactions, which might not appear to make any sense (mine didn't).

    I myself (as capital was over £6k on paper) was then asked to submit individual bank statement pages showing my Cost of Living payments.

    I've seen others who were asked for PayPal account statements after the call.

    Then I had a journal message saying my review was complete and my payments were correct.

  • sophie2002
    sophie2002 Online Community Member Posts: 26 Listener

    So I have 1 bank account 1 savings account both same bank and a PayPal no money in that account just use it to pay for stuff so probs best to prepare so I'm not stressing out even more I know people say don't worry but I have major ocd and depression and I'm always on edge anyway had a break down last month so this isn't helping at all but thanks for your help x