Jsa and pension pot

zoeroses21 · February 2020

My husband and I claim joint Jsa I had a pension pot of £12,000 of which I drew done in installments over the last year,I received a letter today from Dwp from their fraud department asking for a years bank statements they said it was to check if we were receiving the right benefits I didn't think we were doing anything wrong by taking my pension pot in segments obviously we are I am at my wits end,thankyou

thespiceman · February 2020

Hello @zoeroses21 Pleased to meet you.

I am one of the team of Community Champions.

Please if I can suggest going to tag one of the team who may be able to advise you further .

@poppy123456 please my friend can you advise this member.

Much appreciated.

Please can I add the lady has exceptional expertise, knowledge on anything like this.

Will be in touch in time.

Please take care.

@thespiceman

poppy123456 · February 2020

HI and welcome,

Thanks @thespiceman for the tag,

The JSA that you're claiming is most likely Income Related. This means that any savings over £6.000 will affect the amount of JSA you're entitled to by £1 for every £250 over that amount. Anything more than £16,000 and you won't be entitled to any means tested benefits.

If what you've taken from your pension each time has increased your savings by more than that amount then yes, you should have told them. If you draw from your pension in small amounts then DWP could start to ask questions and it's most likely why they have contacted you now because they've found out the you've drawn from your pension totally £12,000 in the past year.

If you've been asked to attend an interview then you need to be honest and tell them everything you've drawn from the pension and any other savings you may have.

Are you receiving a weekly amount from the pension? If so then this will be classed as income and will affect your JSA £1 for £1.

zoeroses21 · February 2020

Thanking you Poppy they have asked for bank statements dating back to April 2019 but I started taking money from my pension in February of that her but only asking from April,thankyou

poppy123456 · February 2020

You're welcome,

Even though they are only asking from April you still need to report all the money that you've received from your pension.

zoeroses21 · February 2020

I am not receiving any income from my pension now as it's all been drawn down in installments since last February, thanks again

zoeroses21 · February 2020

The Dwp have not asked me for interview they sent me letter asking for bank statements so the could see how much I have taken from my pension pot as it may affect our benefits,thank you

poppy123456 · February 2020

Taking small amounts in a short space of time could affect your benefits and DWP could treat it as you've taken the whole amount together. If the money has now been spent then they may ask questions what is was spent on.

zoeroses21 · February 2020

Thanks Poppy x

poppy123456 · February 2020

You're welcome

Jsa and pension pot

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