Universal credit

[Fred40]

I’ve been claiming benefit for 5 years with too much savings (20k+)
they have requested bank statements which I’ve sent.
Am I in serious trouble
very worried concerned

You’ll owe back all of your universal credit, presuming one of the exemptions apply.

They’ll decide whether there’s any further action on top of that.

Your claim will end once the review takes place.

Did they not know about the savings?

We migrated over from TC and with DH's redundancy we were over the limit. We didn't declare it all when we claimed as missed where to do it, but when we went to try to change it, they already knew.

They took off a certain amount due to our savings, and still do (meaning we sometimes get nothing).

It may be different though as if you are migrated from a legacy benefit, you are allowed to have over £16k in savings and are still entitled. They also don't reduce it £ for every £ over the allowed amount, as a lot of savings are disregarded for a year after migration.

I'm not sure how they didn't know, as we didn't send any bank statements, but they seem to know how much we have?

Yes you'll be in trouble.

Honestly, it's people like you that spoil it for everyone

How did you let that happen? Did you just not tell them? Or did you acquire it after your application? Inheritance etc?

Well yes obviously you're in serious trouble because benefit fraud is a serious crime. Consequences include prison time.

I never fully knew about the 16k importance
and proceeded with the claim
never gave it another thought of course I regret this now
it was intientional to scam them

Not intentional
mis print

Hopefully yes.

What do you mean you never fully knew about the £16k importance? Did you know or not?
Was there a section on the application form to declare savings? And if so what did you put?

I would not worry too much all you will have to do is pay them back moneys usually out of your benefit they deduct it. Just say its was a genuine mistake and an oversight on your part they know between real fraud and a mistake also its organised crime from others that are making it worst for us not ppl that make genuine mistakes

Was it a genuine mistake? Or were you hoping to get away with it?

You fraudulently claimed money when you had savings to support yourself. I hope they take the lot back and send you to prison.
scum.

I meant to write
not my intentions
im not a criminal and genuinely didn’t realise the16k savings
the claim was made during covid
I never attended an interview to approve the claim it all just happened
i was never asked for bank statements and never gave it another thought

So when you filled in the form online, what did you write in the box that asked you how much you have in savings?

5 years …

why have you not worked?

People on UC can and do work ...

They'll see how long you've had the £20k savings, stop the claim and you'll have an overpayment.

Unfortunately not knowing about the savings cap isn't an excuse they'll accept.

There’s not a chance, you have been able to claim UC for 5 years without a meeting so I actually think you are trolling now.

The claim process is crystal clear asking about income, assets and savings. You signed the declarations. This is why it’s fraud and you should get the book thrown at you and stopped from claiming anything ever again.

also, why haven’t you worked for 5 years?

When you apply for UC they ask how much you have in savings. If you had stated that you had over £16000 you would not have been awarded UC.

Have you had over £16,000 in savings since the start of your claim? If so then you should have declared this and if you did not the DWP will want full repayment of all UC received and may consider prosecution.

If you told them at the time of your claim that you had over £16,000 then they clearly made an error in awarding it to you.

If your savings have increased since your initial claim then you should have told them. Not knowing about the £16,000 limit is not a defence.

With the information you have given it isn't clear what your situation is and that will obviously influence the action the DWP will take.

Millions of people claim UC.

Nursery staff, nurses, shelf stackers at the supermarket, porters in hospitals and many many more.

Claiming benefits and 20k in savings?! No wonder - hard working, tax paying - people have limited patience with this system.

So what did you write on the form where it asks how much you have in savings?

Surely every renewal you are asked about savings and sign that you details are correct or have not changed.

When I was claiming you were asked every year, I wasn't one year as post divorce I had over 16k. It's long been known and yes hopefully now you are in trouble.
I don't believe you didn't know

As I said it was during covid and don’t recall declaring any amount

It says it on all the forms, asks the question etc. So you must have lied 🤷