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.

@MickGeorge22- you can't possibly know this even if you work for the benefit fraud team.
Maybe in this instance somebody felt the need to check. The receipt of DLA is the most recent change in respect of the OPs entitlement. It's whether or not this is the trigger.
Personally I don't think it will be related to the DLA. I was just thinking of every possible scenario.
If the OP comes back and wants to provide further information thats not too personal people will be happy to help and advise the best they can.
I do hope no.one has reported you for fraud OP..

It’s not horribly worded at all! It’s concise, factual and fair - or do you not think there should be any checks on people who claim UC?

The letter did say - it’s to check the OP circumstances are compliant with being paid UC. You can’t get any more clear than that.

Even if fraud has been committed?

What is everyone reporting you about

According to my local job centre, DWP are doing a huge review of people receiving universal credit, apparently during covid nobody was checking claims properly so a lot of fraudulent claims were being put in under fake identities for example, so they are having to check everyone.

@Soontobe60 nothings been said by the OP which would suggest shes acted fraudulently. I wont assume this is the case. You are entitled to your own opinion.

Is your social anxiety the reason you’ve been awarded LCWRA? I just wonder if they’re reviewing your circumstances as you have children and maybe feel as though you should be able to work at least part-time.

It’s standard I’ve had a few over the years try not to worry.

@courtneyk92 I would suggest asking MNHQ to redact the name of the official from your opening post. It is highly unlikely this person is a member of the Senior Civil Service and so the convention is that they would not be named.

If you have been claiming in accordance with the regulations you shouldn’t worry - just be open and straightforward. If, however, there has been a change in your circumstances, e.g. you have been living with a partner or your health has improved and you may be capable of some work or preparing for work etc., then now is the time to proactively declare it.

I was checked last year, it's was a routine check, we hadn't been reported or anything (at least I don't think so!). You'll need to provide things like bank statements and declare any accounts with money including things like PayPal. But assuming you've been telling the truth and not claiming falsely you have nothing to worry about

I agree. If OP has complied with the rules then she has nothing to worry about. It is a good thing imo that they review cases regularly.

I had this. Despite the lady suggesting I should have perhaps had an abortion, I just declared everything was still the same and that was that.

Good grief, is this for real?

I'd have put in a complaint about that, I think. It's an appalling thing to say.

Some work coaches say dreadful things to clients. One of my clients was told that all her health issues would be resolved if she lost weight. She has severe MH issues and weight gain is a side effect of the only medication that keeps her psychosis under control.

It could be that any backdated amount has put you over the 6k limitg where they have to reduce your ESA by a few pounds.

it’s also protected for a year and not counted if it’s a backdated payment so it won’t count
but sometimes the systems don’t match up / work together

compliance is where there is a mistake / possible fraud and they are just checking

if it’s a standard UC review then that’s when they want 4 months of bank statements & ID but it would say that in the UC account that’s what they want

Looks like the quoted name is the UC worker's name who sent the letter.

Try not to worry. Lots of compliance interviews are carried out every day. Most are just to make sure that everything has been reported and that your case is correct according to their rules.
In cases where they have a specific allegation they normally arrange an interview in person.

MN have now redacted the OP's name.

No, it’s not the same thing.

Universal Credit Review Team- this is what your work coach is talking about.

Compliance team- not routine checks - there’s a specific reason they are getting in touch.

I had one of these letters and also panicked. I knew I hadn't done anything wrong but the feeling of dread was unbearable.

I had to send in 3 months bank statements and a copy of my ID.

When she called, she explained that these were calls being made randomly to check everything was up to date and I was claiming everything I was entitled to. She asked a couple of things about my statements eg: who was XYZ who made monthly payments to me (adult DC housekeeping), what was ABC who I'd spent over 100 at (shopping for DD birthday).

It was all above board and no one was trying to "catch me out".

I think the wording of the letter is fine: factual and to the point.
I suspect it’s a review. You can’t receive £100s of benefits without expecting that to be checked periodically. If you have done nothing wrong, you have nothing to worry about.

But did your letter say compliance team on it?

I don't think it's possible to claim carers and PIP together.

Yes, it is.

DH and I used to both get PIP and CA.

(Now we're retired, we still get PIP and now we also get Pension Credit. You can't get CA after you get your state pension but the OP is nowhere near this)

Perhaps you can reply in your journal and ask whether there are any documents you need to bring and whether there’s any particular concern.

Take/download bank statements, a copy of your tenancy agreement and your child’s DLA award. If you have a partner, be ready to confirm their address, ideally with some proof (ie they pay council tax there).

Are you sure yours was a compliance interview and not a review?