Universal credit - can they vet your spending?

[Eileen101]

My husband left us (me and two children) 6 months ago and I have recently made a universal credit claim to help get me on to an even keel.
I work full time so it'll only be a small amount.

On one hand I'm looking forward to hearing from them regarding the first payment to ease the pressure a bit. But I hear that UC can contact you to query various entries in your bank account. Am I being anxious or to what extent can current UC claimants report on how much UC vet your spending during reviews? Or are they just concerned about what comes in?

I have been on UC for years and never had this sort of review, but it is happening a lot now. the purpose is to make sure people don't have loads if savings/income. It is not to check what you spent your UC on.
Frankly, once it lands in your bank account, you can blow it on whatever you want.

Yes any bills still in his name when you say he doesn't live there could be problematic.

That is worrying. He comes here about twice a year, and stays for one night (on route to visit family).
When we were together, the bills were in his name as I was not working and not on benefits. When we split, he kept them in his name and I sent him the money for all of them (I struggle with finances etc, so it was just easier) I am not sure how that would be different to someone that has rent and bills included, as their bills would not be in their name either.
The house I live in is his. I am pretty much a house sitter at this point. One day he will want to sell or whatever, but that is not the issue here.
Maybe I should see CAB and have my mind put at rest. The post I saw on Reddit was a lady who was told she was somehow breaking UC rules by having someone pay a bill for her, but was also told by the same work coach that her ex was also not allowed to meet her and buy a takeaway meal too. I get on well with my ex, and we go out for a meal when he is here, and he pays.

It's more the fact that it could look like he is living there and is your partner? On any benefit fraud threads where the op has been accused of having an ex still living with her, they are advised to make sure he is removed from all bills if no longer living there.

He doesn't even live in the UK anymore, and got married to someone else. His UK forwarding address is his dads. I mean, they could camp outside and survey my house if they want, and it will turn up nothing. I have a new DP myself, and I wont let him stay more than 2 or 3 times a month because my neighbours are gossips.
Honestly, when some people think being on benefits is an easy life... it is not! You have to worry about stuff like this.

I just had mine today. Some of the questions I was asked what I bought from ASDA, I was asked what a payment from an online pharmacy was and why it was refunded, and about rent, is this normal? It felt invasive and upsetting tbh. I was trying to get through the call before my anxiety took over but after the call my sister said I shouldn't have been asked some of the questions.

Is there something in particular you’re worried about? It sounds like there is.

You said on another thread you owned the house outright. Or am I thinking of someone else, your username looks familiar.

Probably me. However I have never said I own the house... just that it is owned outright so no mortgage. My ex does not charge me rent so I have no housing costs.

So your ex (not current) boyfriend owns the house outright, lets you live there rent free, pays some of the bills, but doesn’t live there himself, and your mum also contributes to bills? I would be careful as this all sounds incredibly odd.

He does not pay any of the bills. I used to send him the money for them. But they are all now in my name.
My mum does not contribute to any bills, so I have no idea where you got that from. She helped me set them up, that is all.

You said she sends you money in your previous comment

I don’t know but I’d imagine a bit of money in ikea is perfectly fine - families need furniture. It’s not like you bought a Rolex or something.

Sorry, I see what you mean now. She has paid for some of the vet bills for my dog. She has not paid for my household bills.

Probably not. They used to though. In late 90s I made a claim and they visited the property, went through drawers etc to confirm I was living there and went through my bank asking what I'd spent money on. I had to shoow them the little freezer I'd bought to prove where £75 had gone!

Back when the dole first came in, they would visit your house and make you sell things before you would get any payment from them.
Thankfully things have changed.

If anyone is worried about the UC reviews, have a look at the BenefitsAdviceUK subReddit. Lots of people posting about their reviews there. It is nothing to worry about. I would honestly recommend anyone use it to ask stuff about benefits there as they are non-judgemental and stick to the facts.

Yes.

They checked my child's (I'm in charge of his finances as he is disabled).

I had to account for 2 payments going in (Christmas cheques from relations) and another payment which is when I sold his laptop for him on eBay.

There were also small payment out to my account which is when he had ordered JustEat using my JE account and paid me back.

The guy on the phone was fine about it.

Yes, it does look suspicious that you are living in an exes house and some bills are still in his name.

Does he have anything like a phone bill or DVLA coming to your house?

Can he provide proof he is now remarried and permanently living abroad?

No bills are in his name now. All are in mine.
He has nothing come to the house at all. His UK forwarding address is his fathers.
Yes, he can prove he lives abroad.

Why does it matter to people on MN?

You said in your post that the gas and electricity accounts are in his name!

Yes, a lot of this does not add up.

Yes, I did. Back in January!
It is now in my name.

Yes, back in January. Look at the date of the post.

Why are you asking anyway?

Why does anyone ask anything? This is a discussion forum .

Yes, OP asked something and I responded. I also asked something back in January. My situation is now different yet you are still asking me things about it.
Why does it matter?