DWP check spending.

Strawberry1
Strawberry1 Online Community Member, Scope Member Posts: 6,901 Championing
in Money and bills
Something has come to my attention that DWP check on what you are spending.  How do they do that ?????????
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Comments

  • Strawberry1
    Strawberry1 Online Community Member, Scope Member Posts: 6,901 Championing
    Hi @poppy123456 ,  I don't like bothering people here . Then all of a sudden I have the braveness to ask . I read through some points that have been posted on here . Stuff on Google scares me silly.  Never know what to believe. I appreciate your feedback. Thank you. 
  • Strawberry1
    Strawberry1 Online Community Member, Scope Member Posts: 6,901 Championing
    Despite everything still being the same when I was awarded PIP  @poppy123456 . I do fear the DWP . I sometimes wish why did I try in the first place.  I'm very sorry @poppy123456. Unfortunately I'm a massive worrier .
  • Strawberry1
    Strawberry1 Online Community Member, Scope Member Posts: 6,901 Championing
    So sorry @poppy123456 . My stomach is doing sumasalts . Why did I ever get involved with DWP .  I can't apologise enough. 
  • surfygoose
    surfygoose Online Community Member Posts: 512 Empowering
    Don’t worry strawberry. Poppy is right. You are allowed to spend your money how you want to. You just should not have money above the amount of savings that is allowed for means tested benefits.
  • Albus_Scope
    Albus_Scope Posts: 9,613 Scope Online Community Coordinator
    As everyone's said there's nothing to worry about @Strawberry1. The DWP and banks can communicate, but that's ONLY to make sure you're not hoarding loads of savings. :) 
  • Strawberry1
    Strawberry1 Online Community Member, Scope Member Posts: 6,901 Championing
    Thank you so much @everyone. 
  • Strawberry1
    Strawberry1 Online Community Member, Scope Member Posts: 6,901 Championing
    Sorry 🙏 again @everyone. 
  • wade
    wade Online Community Member Posts: 14 Listener
    I'm so sorry to hear the fear and anxiety some people seem to be  feeling. I saw this as well but did not even click on to it. Because I've found out that this happens almost everyday about DWP saying this and saying that not to say its not true or its positive or negative for people on benefits. Any worries scope is here for us and they will tell you how things work and what help you can get. So if there is any worries or problems scope will aid you to there best.
  • Strawberry1
    Strawberry1 Online Community Member, Scope Member Posts: 6,901 Championing
    Thank you so much @poppy123456 . I hate being a burden I refrain from asking questions.  It takes me ages to pluck up the courage to ask questions.  Lovely to hear you have a holiday booked for next year.  You do such a great job here helping people like you do . I take my hat off to you and look up to you so much . I am truly forever grateful. 
  • Sparkygirl68
    Sparkygirl68 Online Community Member Posts: 16 Connected
    Fraud cases will have bank accounts checked by the DWP 
  • Sparkygirl68
    Sparkygirl68 Online Community Member Posts: 16 Connected
    Thank you
  • denise1964
    denise1964 Online Community Member Posts: 3 Listener
    we have been asked to provide bank statements as savings now below 16,000 in order to claim ESA income related. 3 years since inheritance which works out at 12,000 a year and we are expected to pay all our bills etc, we received more in benefits before this! Now we have to prove we haven’t still got it! They will look at all our spending and I find this very intrusive. We wouldn’t have taken it had we known as we are now worse off and no one told us this at DWP this would happen when I notified them we had received it, we notified immediately! 
  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Online Community Member Posts: 64,463 Championing
    denise1964 said:
    we have been asked to provide bank statements as savings now below 16,000 in order to claim ESA income related. 3 years since inheritance which works out at 12,000 a year and we are expected to pay all our bills etc, we received more in benefits before this! Now we have to prove we haven’t still got it! They will look at all our spending and I find this very intrusive. We wouldn’t have taken it had we known as we are now worse off and no one told us this at DWP this would happen when I notified them we had received it, we notified immediately! 
    Are you currently claiming any other benefits? You can no longer make a claim for Income Related ESA unless you're claiming the old contributions based ESA and then you can be assessed again for the Income Related top up. 

    In a previous comment about 18 months ago you said you were starting a claim for Universal Credit, did you claim that?
  • normski1942
    normski1942 Online Community Member Posts: 1 Listener

    I've been long-term unemployed and disabled for a lot of years now and every single day I'm terrified that the DWP are going to screw me over and make me homeless again as they have done before it's like living everyday under the threat of a gun to your head especially with my depression and anxiety. It guot so bad on one occasion I even attempted suicide but I couldn't even get that right. At least I don't have to worry about losing pip as their denied me pip on several occasions because they are more ons

  • Sparkygirl68
    Sparkygirl68 Online Community Member Posts: 16 Connected

    this is so upsetting reading this. DWP are asking banks to check accounts if they look suspicious. Take care

  • Rachel_Scope
    Rachel_Scope Posts: 1,649 Scope Online Community Coordinator

    I completely understand your worries but I'd just like to point out that this discussion is from November 2023. If the DWP look into people's bank accounts, it will be for those who have been abroad for longer than 4 weeks or whose bank balance exceeds the limit as @Nightcity mentioned. If you remain within the rules you should be fine 😊

  • Sparkygirl68
    Sparkygirl68 Online Community Member Posts: 16 Connected
  • BlackSkiesAhead
    BlackSkiesAhead Online Community Member Posts: 4 Listener

    Hi all

    I'd appreciate your advice please.

    Last week I submitted my bank statements, driving license and passport, for a UC review. I only have the one account, no savings and am never in the red, it's all easily checked.

    However. I use my credit card a lot. I pay a LARGE amount each month and that's what I'm worried about. I've used it for house refurb and paying bills and food, rather than putting these through my bank account. Do you think they will request credit card statements?

    The man I spoke to seemed very nice and was perfectly polite but I feel unbearably anxious and like my life is on the line. I have no support and am long term disabled, get PIP and not requested to work.

    Thanks in advance :)

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