Enhanced review.

hattieharold1989
hattieharold1989 Online Community Member Posts: 1 Listener
edited April 27 in Universal Credit (UC)

hi

Sorry for this ramble. I have PTSD, depression and anxiey. I have 2 children that I get DLA for and I’m also on LCWRA. I’m also 25 weeks pregnant with a high risk pregnancy

I have been asked by the enhanced review team to send in a mountain of id, evidence pictures. 6 months bank statements. You name it, they have asked. On my phone call the advisor asked me ‘how do you look after your children if you are so unwell’ This has caused my ptsd and anxiety to spiral out of control. It was almost like he was suspicious of me. I have been seeking help from my mental health midwife and therapist but I have started to feel suicidal.

My PTSD symptoms have been manageable for roughly a year now and this has made my life feel unbearable for the past 2 weeks. I also have not told universal credit I am pregnant due to me not believing I would come so far in my pregnancy something I have therapy for as I am disconnected from my pregnancy.


I’ve not come here for sympathy, just experience from others who have undergone this type of review. I had back payment it November and December making it look like I had thousands of pounds go through my account and it’s really worrying me. Even thought DWP sent me the money.


does anyone have any any experience with this team?

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Comments

  • OverlyAnxious
    OverlyAnxious Online Community Member Posts: 4,612 Championing

    Hi,

    I know it's easier said than done but you really can't take what the advisors say personally. They can't help their ignorance unfortunately.

    Did they definitely ask for 6 months bank statements rather than 4 months? That is more than normal if so, and may have been triggered by the backpay in your account.

    Although backpay is disregarded for 12 months, it should still be declared with the savings on UC, and then deducted afterwards. If your total savings, including the backpay, are over £6000, then that could be why they've asked for extra statements in this case.

  • anisty
    anisty Online Community Member Posts: 836 Championing

    The enhanced review team is just that - a more thorough review. It is not a fraud investigation team.

    The team is there to do a thorough review of your claim and can ask some very searching questions, request lots of info etc as you are finding.

    Depending on what they find, they can pass your case onto fraud or just to a DM to correct any overpayments.

    I think keep in mind at the moment you are not under any fraud investigation - the enhanced team don't have those powers. But these questions and accusations they are putting to you is part of their strategy to get to the truth.

    Best thing is just to be honest and let them do their work. It is an incredibly stressful process but, in most cases, they just want to see that the claim is correct.

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