Universal Credit Review

[Abs1996]

Please don't judge:
My partner and I have a joint claim, I work part time but he is unemployed, but does a few jobs for family and friends to keep him busy due to his mental health and to help him get out for a while. They do pay him a little something for his time by bank transfer which he hasn't declared. He's been asked sent a message in our journal say:
We are reviewing your Universal Credit claim to make sure your payments are correct.
As part of the review, you will need to send us information to confirm your details.
We will call you on 2/05/2025, between 10:30 and 10:50, to discuss the review and what happens next.
If you want to rearrange this call, send us a journal message. Kind Regards Mairead UCR Team
The money we get paid goes into my account and I pay all the bill from there so his account doesn't actual see any of the uc money. Will they ask for his account evidence or mine?

You’re admitting to benefit fraud so just on that aspect I’m voting YABU.
bear in mind that as a joint claim you could also be prosecuted.

They’ll ask for both your accounts. But small amounts of money from friends and family won’t be an issue. My mum and I regularly send each other money back and forth. Wasn’t queried.

That review is a standard one and isn’t becuase they suspect anything untoward.

Both accounts

A joint claim means they will want both account details.

Why is he not working?

They will ask for both. You will just have to be honest about it, if it’s one or two payments for doing a favour for family it’s likely to just be considered cash gifts. If it’s a significant amount or regular income you may end up owing them money back or having your claim stopped while they look into it. Honesty is the only way forward though

So your husband is earning undeclared income and hiding it in your bank account and now your worried UC may find out at the review. Sorry but it’s time you both stopped as most of us work and are taxed and left without much. Would love to be able to hide away a few £ tax free not even for treats but to just get on top of things but sadly no as all income goes via HMRC……

How much money on average a month is he getting from these odd jobs?

If not much you could just say they are gifts.

I don't think it sounds like he's receiving regular scheduled payments, so it sounds like he can just say it's a gift for when things are a bit tight x

Okay that’s fine as I’ve nothing to hide was just concerned as if they look at his account there’s no evidence of our rent being paid or bills.

He suffers with depression and anxiety. He was working when we first opened the claim but his health made it hard to uphold the hours so they let him go after a few months of being signed off.

Given that you have no idea of their health, or other family circumstances, that comment was totally unnecessary

I was working full time but due to having seizures and working with children I’ve had to cut my hours down until the can figure out what going on actually.
Ive been working full time up until February so judge all you like but constantly passing out and not being able to do my job I love or look after my own children properly isn’t quite a dream I’m afraid.

No it’s not regular it’s like maybe 5 times a month if that just to keep him stimulated and laying around not doing anything or feel unmotivated.

How much roughly per time?

He only get around £20-£40 so the money he’d get a month is £200

Between £20-£40 per time

He does go to sure trust and work alongside a lady there and had regular meetings with uc but due to his health it changed his personality slight and he gets anxiety in new surroundings and people so that’s why family and friends will ask if he can take them somewhere and collect them, do a bit of gardening, type up some work that kind of random jobs here and there.

I was allowed to earn some therapeutic earnings while recovering from major surgery for a short period. It did me the world of good and helped bridge the gap back to work fully. Some years ago now when on ESA as lost job, but it might be this is allowable in some circumstances, perhaps speak to CAB to find out if it would apply?

I also was lent some money from family in hard times so dc could keep up with activities they loved. They paid that into my account but I paid it back once earning again so there's a trail if I ever need to prove it. Maybe that's worth considering too, instead of seeing it as "earnings". No idea if you have to declare money borrowed to UC though.

I've just had this review. It's normal, they're random ans doing it to all claims. We were told we won't have another for another 6 months. Uc also said if was fraud they wouldn't be asked as they'd have accessed the info already.
I stressed too and had nothing to hide. Don't worry though!

£200 is quite a lot extra, it should be declared as earnings. If you have kids it won't affect your UC amount due to work allowance

So his mental health is so bad he can't work for money that would have to be declared but not bad enough to work for money he is fraudulently hiding? That's lucky isn't it!

Let's hope they go through all of your accounts with a fine toothcomb to ensure you are not unlawfully sponging off the tax payers.

So he’s not working or looking after the kids?

But then again he is working but just doesn’t want to give up the benefits.

The mind boggles.