Universal Credit targeted case review

Hi denise45

Hopefully someone will be able to tell you about their experience. It is common to have a phonecall after you have been asked to submit bank statements and id.

I hope the call goes well for you. Keep notes or record the phone call if you can.

BIS

Hi Denise45 - this has happened to me only last month, and is still ongoing now. Like you, I had to submit 4 months of bank statements, a copy of my Driving License and also a picture of me standing at my home holding my license. I also have had numerous telephone calls about anything such as bonds, savings accounts and other forms of income I've had - where my situation is difficult, I was awarded a backdated lump sum last year in relation to backdated PIP money, but because my PIP was stopped this month, UC assessors are checking if my UC should be reduced because my savings is over the 6k - even though this was because of the backdated PIP amount. They also check that your rent, C/Tax are paid from this bank account, but whatever you do, make sure they've every bit of financial information that they ask for, because I've heard of people trying to hide things and they get sanctioned, hence why I've been totally honest about why my bank balance was higher than the £6k, and I informed them that the reason I didn't declare this was because I read online on the Gov website that £5,000 per year can't be taken into consideration when it is backdated DWP income. Expect it to last a while though, as mine first telephone call was back in May with an assessor, and they still haven't come to a decision even now, and it's July about how much I'm entitled too. I also used to work in finance for over 15 years before I was forced into leaving for health reasons, so if you need any advice, or help with anything, just holla and I'll see if I can advise. All I know is that below £6,000, you get full UC, £6,000-£16,000 you get reductions of £4.35 for every £250 over £6,000 I believe it is, but over £16,000 - you don't get any UC as they expect you to live on that.

Hi again - I forgot to mention that they also check for cash withdrawals from your bank - anything that looks suspicious, such as large amounts every week, as they look at it as a deprivation of benefits - like you're hiding money from them, so your benefits don't get decreased. I had taken £1,000 out cash over 2 days, but I had proof it was to buy a mattress and computer from a relative who was moving and upgrading. The mattress being to help with my arthritis and sciatica, and the computer being an upgrade from my old Windows 7 system. So if you've purchased anything like that, make sure you've a hand written receipt showing a bought and sold message between the 2 people. They don't always ask for receipts, but it's handy to keep them for purposes such as this, or a futurure insurance claim, should anything happen. Hopefully all this information has helped ease your anxiety, as I know how much anxiety can affect people being a sufferer of it myself. Good luck, please come back and let me know what's happened after your call.

Hi denise45 - Well I don't know if this is true, but I have read online that people going on holiday who claim PIP can be penalised for this - I've read things such as being fined £5,000 and having your benefits stopped - however, as to the truth in this, I have no idea, as I never go abroad. The rules for the backdated money as far as I'm aware are £5,000 for every year or as long as PIP continues, but I had my PIP stopped on 12th June - I am contesting it though, and I'm over the £6,000 limit in relation to having a decrease with my UC - however, the person investigating still hasn't got back to me about this. I'm not sure if they actually even know, so a bit clarity would be nice from whoever makes these rules. I think maybe's if you mention your holiday was for medical reasons because of your anxiety - it may help, however once again, I'm not 100% sure - seems to be one rule for one, and one for another these days. I know this because in the past when I've called the UC hotline, that a member of staff I'd spoken to about a situation actually told me that the supervisor was incorrect who had made this decision and to ask for it to be looked at again, and I actually got an apology in my journal saying that it wasn't the supervisors area of expertise, and I said "well, surely supervisors should be able to know everything what the staff do?" but who knows? Time's are hard, and they're probably pushed for training people etc. I think as long as you be honest with them - the dwp assessor I mean, they'll try understand your situation - after all, they're only doing their job, and it's the govt who make the rules. Let me know what happens though.