UC Note "We have arranged a compliance telephone interview for you" having a panic attack

[courtneyk92]

I am having a panic attack. I have social anxiety, I receive LCWRA and PIP, along with universal credit. I was awarded LCWRA Years ago, and never been reviewed, I am a 33 year old mum of two little boys age 8 and 6. One who is autistic and receives DLA. I Received a note about a compliance interview today and a letter. I don't know what it could be about, my son was awarded and backdated DLA only a few weeks ago… on the 30th June and today on the 30th July, Receive a letter that says "Notice of a compliance telephone interview We need to discuss your Universal Credit claim
Dear [named redacted by MNHQ]
We need to speak to you about your Universal Credit claim.
A compliance officer will call you on (my number) to conduct a telephone interview.
Your interview will be on 6 August 2025 at 10am.
If you do not answer when we call, your Universal Credit may be affected. You must tell us before the appointment if you will not be available at this time.
Yours sincerely,
S Thorpe

I feel sick when you google compliance interviews it says because you've been suspected of fraud, I cant stop crying I feel so sick, my interview is 6th aug, I wont be able to eat or sleep until then, can any one ease my mind. I'm crying my eyes out I cant even breathe.

Are you claiming as a lone parent but having a partner over occasionally? A friend of mine had an interview over that as they checked that she is indeed living alone.

Try not to worry , they’ll ask a few questions they might want bank statements. It’s usually a straightforward process. Good luck

@courtneyk92 You have left what I assume is your real name in your quote of the letter - you might want to report your post to MNHQ and ask them to edit it out. No advice but best of luck with sorting this out.

With your son being awarded DLA recently I’d say it’s most likely connected to that and ensuring that you’re getting all the components you’re entitled to. Please don’t worry.

Please try not to get stressed about this. You have described your situation and circumstances and I am assuming that the purpose of the interview is to check that things as are you describe.
In some cases there is misuse and abuse of the benefit system and the government have a duty to audit and address as required.
You have a lot to deal with. As hard as it is, please try and put this to one side in your mind.
Take care OP

How many 'years ago' were you awarded your benefit? It's possible that it's just automatically time for them to review it. While I am not suggesting your social anxiety isn't genuine, it's not unreasonable for them to 'make sure', and also to perhaps encourage you to attempt to do something about it. I doubt they would just award a lifelong claim for social anxiety, so it was inevitable this would happen at some point. Is there a friend or family member who can help you through this? You have to eat, and you have to try to stop crying - for your kid's sake if nothing else - that might sound harsh, but you are a parent and sometimes knowing that gives us the strength to fight our corner! Good luck.

Everyone is getting compliance interviews these days. It could be you’ve had a backdated payment which has bumped you over savings allowance. I had one, sorted it out sent some docs, job done.

I hope it's this because im paranoid everyone around me is my enemy and reporting me for things I have not done. my son was awarded dla with a rather large backdate 30th June and I received this compliance interview 30th July so hopefully

Theybreally need to reword this shit, it does make me cross. Who wouldn't be panicking.

They are doing a check up. Do you have a work coach or similar? Someone who can talk you down, explain, help yyou out?

Can you have someone also on the line for the interview? Anything that will help.

I am assuming they've not sent you any forms to fill in, so this is just a checking in, because they realise they've forgotten to check up on you sooner. Not your fault, and that you've been thrown into a panic is something you should raise with them. Just factually, don't get cross with them.

Write down notes, questions - because you can also ask how often you can expect a review - any other information, queries etc. You can tell them if anything has changed for the worse in your situation.

You can also say that the date clashes with an existing commitment (you don't have to be specific) and request the interview be postponed.

But for now, breathe, do whatever you need to calm down, have a cup of tea and a biscuit, and contact your UC person/job coach.

Then plan anything you can that's nice for today. Flop in front of the tv, go feed some ducks, tell yourself you have done all you can today about that horribly worded letter.

Unlikely anything to do with the DLA.
More likely someone has reported you regarding PIP. Are you getting PIP for being unable to go out alone etc and then been seen going out regularly?
As others have asked, do you have a bf staying over and claiming as a lone parent? It sounds as though someone has perhaps reported you for something.

No point contacting her work coach. this is not a work coach appointment it's the compliance team by the sound of things?

Sorry just re-read your post and seen it is to do with your UC claim. it could be to do with the DLA money going into your bank account or if savings have gone over 6k but to be honest i can't see why they wouldn't just query that with you it wouldn't necessarily go to the compliance team?

I had this and like you got really anxious but it just turned out to be a review so please try not to worry

Have you started claiming CA and its relayed to that? Ie, needing to clarify you can provide the level of care with the reasons why you yourself need help with?

If you haven't done anything against the rules they can't do anything. Th letter obviously panicked you but I think DWP know that and like to panic people on purpose. Take a few deep breaths, get some food because you can't not eat if you are caring for 2 DC. Its not long to wait.

There is nothing wrong with the wording of the letter. It's really clear and simple.

Compliance is not just “checking in”

Are you claiming carers allowance for your son who gets DLA? Depending what you qualified for LCWRA for, in certain circumstances you can't care for another given what is wrong with you.
I don't think it's possible to claim carers and PIP together.

You won't be able to claim LCWRA forever. At some point you will be reviewed.
Check everything you are getting and any paperwork/journal for any information thats relevant
Do you go on your journal regularly?
Have they amended your commitments and you haven't accepted them in time?
Someone may have reported you for fraud.
Is it possible you have exaggerated things
in the past re LCWRA and PIP?

Social anxiety was the new 'back pain' of the DWP. There are thousands of claimants on LCWRA and PIP who will not qualify again upon review. Im not suggesting this is you just making you aware of this. The new LCW and LCWRA threshold/s is/are based upon a points scheme and generalised social anxiety will not cut it. As a pp asked have you been seen out and about whilst previously stating you are unable to go out? You don't need to answer my questions but have a good think about what's been prevuously said to the DWP and if this still applies. People are meant to submit a change of circumstances if their health improves. You need to be prepared for these sorts of questions.
A compliance interview is definitely not a standard UC telephone call. They have concerns of some kind.

@Yellowpingu the DWP definitely dont ring or arrange appointments to check you are getting what your entitled to. To be blunt 'they don't give a f**k

@Fromage she will not have a work coach as she does not have to look for work or work as she receives Limited capacity to work and work related activity.

It is perfectly possible to claim carers allowance and PIP together. No one ever checks up on what caring is being done- ever ! It is not possible for a person on a single UC claim to claim both LCWRA and carers element.

That would be a work capability assessment and not compliance interview. And the OP would have received a form to fill in

My reply stands.

@Thequeenofwishfulthinking they certainly used to. I know because I did that job for 10 years.

It usually says on those letters what it is about (housing costs etc), so to leave you in the dark that... it is no wonder you are panicking.

This. If your child's DLA includes middle or higher rate care, you'll now be entitled to have the carer's element (£160+) added to your UC, and the disabled child element (around £150).

Arrears of benefits are disregarded for a year from the date of payment under capital rules.