Universal credit review coming up sick with anxiety

[amy12464]

Hi. I have a phone review coming up with UC as I sent in statements . And in the statement theirs a few transactions from one of my old accounts. Theirs no name with the transaction is it the card number . It was dormant for many years but more recently I started moving money to it from my other accounts (which are declared) just a little 30 or 50 and by the end of the month I put it back in my other account. It mostly stays at zero. I just put money in it the odd time for budgeting reasons as I never use that account for anything.

The account was originally opened 20 years back and I had savings back then but it’s been at zero for at least 6 plus years. I’m wondering if it’s worth declaring I’m just thinking of all the mess and complications that will come with it but I’m so anxious about lying if they ask who has sent the money looking at the transactions . I feel so torn and guilty any advice is helpful

Just send the statements. I don’t understand why you are worried about. You can move your own money about…

Get a grip

Because I haven’t declared the account I’m just worried about getting in trouble

YABU because you have not declared an account you have actively been using. If it’s been empty for 6 years what’s the problem? But you state you have been moving the odd £30 and £50, so it contradicts what you say. To be this worried about it, makes me
think there’s something more.

I put in a bit of money from my other accounts so a certain amount of out of sight so I’m not tempted to use it. That’s all. When I’ve budgeted accordingly in the month I simply put the amount back into the original account it went in. Theirs no bad intention behind it.

How much is in the old account?

unless you have over the savings limit you have nothing to worry about

It’s been at zero a long time and currently is at zero. Obviously when I move a bit of money into it it has a small amount in it but I always put the money back into the original account. And it goes back to zero. I did actively save in it 10 plus years ago so I’m just wondering how far back they’ll want statements

Currently zero. I put like 50 in it at the start of the month and returned the money back to the original account it came from just recently

I forgot to declare some accounts that came up in my review and they were just added in and I had to them send the statements. It was all fine as could see it was legitimate.

it then promoted me to sort out all my accounts and streamline my finances.

Just explain the error and you will be fine.,

If it was empty when you opened your Uc claim I don't understand what the problem is?

So should I just wait until my interview then to bring it up . That’s reassuring thanks

You have to declare all accounts you have, even if you are not using them.
You have said you have been moving small amounts back and forth into it, so you definitely will need to provide statements for that.
Can you upload the statements before your phone review?

I think it’s just because I still didn’t declare it . I’ve been on UC since 2017 on and off and the account has been open for 20 years. Im just worried now how they’ll react if I tell them how old the account is

My review from bank statements raised questions from them.

My dad has the boy version of my girl name, and the same last name & so they figured I'd been sending money to myself, he'd sent me £3800 ish over the 4 month period they wanted, typically!

The guy just asked me if it was a different account of mine & if so how much do I have in there.

So they might flag it but the way he worded it gave me 0 reason to worry. I figured it would come up because my ex also sends me a decent CM every month. Again he asked - I just said it's maintenance, he moved on with no more questions and no follow ups.

So they may ask but so long as you dont have more than the allowed savings (is it 6k?) you'll be grand

Yeah I think it was fine since it was family sending it you. My transaction doesn’t have any name next to it. Because it’s my account they’ll obviously want statements I just don’t know how far back or how they’ll react

Yeah I understand it was family sending it to me, but they didn't know that and the phone call was almost 2 months after and it seemed really, idk the word - relaxed?

It didn't appear to have been a problem if it was my account, they just wanted to know an amount, if you get me?

So I think they'll ask you the same, you'll say its empty & your happy to sent a statement over to prove as much.

If it's minimal money you've been sending back and forth you're more than ok to play with your own money, they just want to know your not hoarding it. I'd not panic :)

Whens your phone call due?

its next week. I thank my anxiety overall doesn’t help because I’m thinking of worst case scenarios and been spiriling since. It had savings in it many years back but I know it was never above 6k. It’s been empty for a few years now I just don’t know how far back they’ll want to see statements and if it will be an isssue. I’m just wondering if it’s worth mentioning before the interview or wait until the interview to see if it even gets mentioned.

You have to declare everything even paypal accounts if you have it

OK so you will be required to declare and submit statements for every account bearing your name. This includes all current, joint, savings, credit union and PayPal accounts. Withholding any accounts may be spotted by cross checking so just explain during your review. I've done benefits advice for over ten years and I've advised about the reviews frequently. Include everything and there is nothing to worry about.

Do not "wait to see if it is mentioned" - they could already be aware and expecting you to declare it as an account bearing your name. Any discrepancy like that or if they think you are withholding information may cause a delay with your next payment...! It is not advisable. You have to be completely transparent as believe me in the majority of cases I have been involved with they frequently already know the answers to some of the questions regarding accounts. Be totally transparent and be prepared to be required to submit statements for all accounts if asked. If there is no significant balance in the account I literally cannot see why you wouldn't want to mention it.

If there is no bad intention do not try to omit it during your review.

I’m just wondering if I should mention it at the review next week when he mentions the account or mention it in my journal before my interview. The account is 20 years old but been pretty inactive but I’ve been on uc since around 2018 so I’m wondering if they’ll ask how long I’ve had it and if that will be an issue. Also how far back they’ll want the statements

I have two current accounts and move money regularly between them for budgeting/bill payment purposes. UC review they weren't bothered at all as they could see the money going between accounts.

You should let them know you've missed an account and send over the statements required (tends to be 3 months).

Keep it within the review. Have the account details to hand. Try to get hold of at least 3-6 months statements in case they want them submitted either via a link on your UC account or at the job centre. Just explain to the review agent.