UC and Gambling

Marly1313
Marly1313 Online Community Member Posts: 3 Listener
in Universal Credit (UC)

Hi, I have got myself into a state regarding the UC review. It's a joint claim with my husband whom I care for. I've suffered from mental illness in the past and have developed a gambling addiction. Please try not to judge, however hard, it's really difficult for me. My statements have been sent for the review showing ins outs and gifts and gambling winnings, which were all pretty much spent as soon as I got them. I must add this is on my account and not the account UC is paid into. Jointly the amounts for the 4 months do not take us over the £6000 mark in an assessment period. However, there may be times in the past when it has and I'm so worried I'm going to get in trouble. I used to play a lot through Paypal but the money there got swallowed up too, mainly through my gambling. I feel such despair as all my statements for the past 2 years show money in(some large amounts) and then straight out again. I really do have a problem and I'm now trying to address it. Can anyone advise me please. I'm terrified

Comments

  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Online Community Member Posts: 64,463 Championing

    How many times in the past has your capital gone above £6,000? Remember though that your UC entitlement is based on your joint circumstances on the last day of each assessment period. Therefore if your capital went above that in the middle of the assessment period and went back below on the last day they that's fine.

    Please also remember that your income, such as benefits or earnings are not treated as capital until the end of the following assessment period after they were paid.

  • Marly1313
    Marly1313 Online Community Member Posts: 3 Listener
    https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/917485#Comment_917485

    I haven't worked out how many times all accounts together have gone over £6000. I'm worried that everything in my own accounts (not UC paid account) being spent, then back again, then spent etc will be classed as deprivation of capital. It really hasn't been. I have a gambling addiction and I'm addressing that as we speak. I can't eat, sleep etc with the worry. It really is making me ill.

  • Jimm_Alumni
    Jimm_Alumni Scope alumni Posts: 5,717 Championing

    Hey @Marly1313, welcome to the community 🙂 It can be really difficult to speak about addiction, but there is no judgement here about it.

    You say the money would leave your account again immediately, that sounds like it is within the assessment period. I would check if you ever had any amount over 6000 at the end of any assessment period. Do you have anyone who can perhaps sit down with you and go over your accounts with you? If there is nobody you know you can try your local Citizen's Advice maybe.

    Keep an eye out for an email from us too!

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