Bank statements
the DWP have asked to see mine and my husbands bank statements as he took out some money from his pension to pay off a loan. Thy said that they’re interested in times that cost over £500 and that we have to explain what that was for and send them any receipts if we have them. What I’m worried about is them looking at where we are spending our money etc. I feel totally violated! Just wondered if I’m aloud to black out items that are less than £500 but just still show the money side of the statement. Or can we not do that
Comments
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I wouldn't advise you to black out anything on the statements because they could ask questions as to why you did this.There's no rules on what you can and can't spend your benefits money on, that's entirely your decision so they won't question that.When you take a drawndown from a pension, this should always be reported, this includes lump sums and weekly/monthly incomes from that pension. (unless the ESA is either all contributions based or New style and then lump sums are not counted as capital.1
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@poppy123456 thank you for that advice, I didnt think we should black them out, hubby was wanting to. So thank yiu for the advice.0
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Did you report the drawdown or did they just find out?
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I've been wondering about this lately. I'm not currently asked for bank statements, but will be when I get moved to UC (which might be soon if I move to another area).
I really don't want them to scrutinise every outgoing payment to decide whether it counts as deprivation of capital or not.
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@poppy123456 no I didn’t report it as I didn’t know I was supposed too. I have been on esa contribution based for 10 years now, but theyve also put me on income related too as hubby is claiming esa too due to disability. It’s an honest mistake as I don’t know all the ins and outs of the benefits etc, there letters are always confusing to me. Doesn’t help when you have a neurological disorder, I find it very stressful not being able to understand1
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Hey @Pandapaws, this must be fairly stressful. I'm sorry
I agree with some others here that it feels very intrusive, but it's something that must unfortunately be done to receive the benefits.
I also totally understand not knowing you were supposed to. The benefits system is far from simple. Citizen's Advice have an info page on changes you have to report when on ESA. I hope it helps to prevent you having to go through this intrusive process again.2 -
I tried submitting redacted statements very recently for a UC compliance check and that wasn't allowed.
They wanted 4 months of statements, for my account which issues them quarterly I also wasn't allowed to black out the oldest 2 months worth of transactions.
Weirdly I wasn't questioned about money in from eBay selling of personal items (many transactions), but money out, she asked about monthly transactions which were for credit cards, broadband, tv licence, a single transaction of £21 which was a birthday present for my Dad sent via PayPal who lives abroad (I had to explain how PP works ie if the funding source is bank account opposed to card it will show as a DD transaction), oh and the window cleaner who costs me £12 a month.
Thankfully most of the really personal stuff goes through my credit card!2 -
That's really insightful @Kimmy87, thank you for sharing that with us. It's always nice when we get a real example that's recent! It's nice to get confirmation.0
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@Kimmy87 thank you so much for that. I think it’s awful that they’re asking what all your outgoings are for. I know that they only interested in items over £500. I’m assuming that I also have to try and write my reasons as to why I didn’t report it too.0
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@Jimm_Scope thank you so much for your help. It’s so confusing 🫤 I do hope they believe me1
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Did they also ask you if you had property,shares or any other assets? Also not assuming but did they ask you if you are claiming any other benefits? Sorry to be intrusive but really want a little heads up to what questions theyll ask me as im really anxious and really not helping with my mental health. :(
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If it's means tested benefits you're claiming then I would expect them to ask about all savings, regardless of where they are and the same for all capital, which includes, properties you don't currently live in, shares and any pensions you maybe receiving.
When claiming means tested benefits if you have more than £16,000 in savings/capital combined (not including the home you currently live in) then there's no entitlement to any means tested benefits.
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Personally sending off bank statements doesn't worry me. How it seems to me is if you ask someone for money because you haven't got enough money they have a right to ask how much you do have. Why should they take it on trust?
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please can someone help me . I cannot sleep or eat and am making myself very ill.
im on pip, esa and UCI have had to send 4 bank statements. My son pays 300 rent each month and family send money for birthday gifts and treats. Is this allowed ? Can my son , 25 working pay towards bills etc?
I have sold a few items not wanted on eBay and that’s what’s worrying me and in trouble as I thought you could but I am reading now and scared myself0 -
@deemar as I advised previously, the £300 from your son is not treated as earnings, it’s treated as capital. If you have less than £6,000 it will not affect your UC. Your son paying towards your bills is fine.
Selling your own personal items is allowed and is treated as capital, not income.
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