If you close an account - tell the DWP!!

whistles
whistles Online Community Member Posts: 2,074 Championing
in Money and bills

Just had a compliance interview because it's flagged up on their computer that I told them I have one account, when they have on file I have two.

I don't it was closed in January, but I didn't tell them it was closed, so they've had to go through the checks that I am still eligible for UC and I wasn't over the 6000 savings when I claimed and I am still not over.

However, they must have contacted my bank if something is flagged as an inconsistency, as now I have an open ESA income related case against me from the year 2023/2024 when they say I went over the 6000 and that's prior to the UC claim that triggered it.

My advice is if you have closed an account at any time since you claimed, write and tell the DWP as it may flag up that you are withholding an account and they will add the account balances together until you prove that it's closed and therefore you are not over.

Comments

  • Trevor_PIP
    Trevor_PIP Online Community Member Posts: 1,218 Trailblazing

    @whistles this has nothing to do with 2023/2024 or your case, but thought I would mention the DWP this year have been checking UC claimants bank accounts on an overall basis. A trusted bank official told me this earlier this year.

  • Mary_Scope
    Mary_Scope Posts: 3,238 Scope Online Community Children and Family Specialists

    Thank you for sharing your experience @whistles

  • whistles
    whistles Online Community Member Posts: 2,074 Championing
    https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1091294#Comment_1091294

    They must have access to the bank if something flags then.

    So it is true, they do look at peoples accounts if something causes them to need to?

    It's my fault for not realising I had to tell them the account was closed. And then it's removed off their file.

  • Trevor_PIP
    Trevor_PIP Online Community Member Posts: 1,218 Trailblazing
    https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1091374#Comment_1091374

    According to the bank official, yes they do. But this year it has been looking at a lot of UC Claimants bank accounts and the banks had to do it too. Think it was something the Labour government pushed through.

    Your post to warn member of a closed account is good!

  • whistles
    whistles Online Community Member Posts: 2,074 Championing

    If it helps someone else it's positive.

    My transition over is with one account, but they're files had another one and that's been flagged. I failed to tell them it was closed and it only ever had £1 in it to keep it open anyway. Nothing ever sent into it besides the DWP payments. So that was sorted easily enough.

  • EmmaC89
    EmmaC89 Online Community Member Posts: 23 Listener

    I closed 2 accounts over a year ago and declared my current and empty ISA. DWP never flagged my closed accounts.

  • MrHappy
    MrHappy Online Community Member Posts: 59 Contributor

    For me i find it offensive the Benefits agency has unlimited access to bank accounts.

  • Catherine21
    Catherine21 Posts: 8,721 Championing
    https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1092605#Comment_1092605

    Oh me too I find it very sinister and I don't think people in uk relize its everyone's accounts they can scan pls lets hope someone takes them to court

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