Advice needed: Random UC Journal Message regarding a 'Compliance Interview'

Abyss
Abyss Online Community Member Posts: 2 Listener
in Universal Credit (UC)

This week out of the blue I received a UC journal message stating that they have arranged a compliance interview in the next couple of weeks, and they 'have some details that may indicate undeclared savings'.

I am sick with worry, I have been claiming UC for the past few years and LCRWA for the past year or so due to various disabilities and inability to work. I therefore have claimed many thousands in UC.

I only realise since receiving the message and a lot of careful thought that I might actually have messed up when originally applying, and may have exceeded the threshold.

Will I go to jail? I feel like ending it

Comments

  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Online Community Member Posts: 64,458 Championing

    There would be no entitlement to UC at all if your capital/savings were more than £16,000 in total, regardless of where they are. If you received any of the cost of living payments they are disregarded indefinitely.

    If you have between £6,000 and £16,000 there's a £4.35/month deduction for every £250 or part there of over £6,000.

    You need to be honest and tell them everything. It's unlikely you will go to prison. You may have a small fine for not declaring when you claimed UC and you will need to repay back what it owed.

    They will ask for bank statements.

  • Rosie_Scope
    Rosie_Scope Posts: 7,006 Scope Online Community Coordinator

    Hi @Abyss, Sorry to hear this has got you feeling so upset.

    As others have said, it's very unlikely this would lead to prison. They will take a look at your bank statements and see what's gone wrong, and you will have to pay back some money if you've been overpaid on your UC. If you're honest in your interview and provide them with all the details, hopefully it can all get sorted out.

    We will be sending you an email today, please look out for that 😊

  • Abyss
    Abyss Online Community Member Posts: 2 Listener

    At this point there is no need for me (or anyone) to contact their GP. I will await the outcome of the situation and then decide what action to take. Many thanks for all your concern 🙏🏻

  • ibzy162
    ibzy162 Online Community Member Posts: 21 Contributor

    what was the outcome ?

  • Holly_Scope
    Holly_Scope Posts: 4,178 Scope Online Community Coordinator

    Hi @ibzy162 this is quite an old post so you might not receive a response but fingers crossed. Are you going through something similar?

  • ibzy162
    ibzy162 Online Community Member Posts: 21 Contributor

    yes I am.. just very worried to be honest.. just a random message in the journal saying I got a interview in 2 days time. Just says you got compliance interview then says about undocumented capital in universal credit. Not sure what it could be my health has not been good for a while so my mind is just going crazy now..

  • Albus_Scope
    Albus_Scope Posts: 11,423 Scope Online Community Coordinator

    I'd try not to worry too much @ibzy162 (easier said than done I know) compliance interviews are happening randomly to people now, so it's doubtful you've done anything wrong. They just want to make sure you're receiving the right amounts, check how much savings you have and see if you're funneling money into off-shore accounts in the Caymans. 😉

  • ibzy162
    ibzy162 Online Community Member Posts: 21 Contributor

    I hope so.. when you read up on it most people saying it’s a bad thing.. then some saying it’s not.. some saying it said something about undeclared savings others saying other stuff.. mine said about undeclared capital.. just wandering if it’s something random they check and say.. others saying someone told them something.. just don’t know everyone saying different things..

  • Albus_Scope
    Albus_Scope Posts: 11,423 Scope Online Community Coordinator

    If you have savings under £6k, you're totally fine and there'd be no changes. If your savings are between £6k and £15,999k, then your UC would be reduced based on the amount saved. If it's over £16k, then your UC would end.

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