What to expect when Universal Credit reviews cash deposits

[Crazycatlover1]

Hello everyone,
Has anyone had a Universal Credit claim review where they had cash deposits showing on their bank statements?
If so, did the reviewer ask you about each cash deposit individually? What sort of questions did they ask, and were they happy with your explanation of where the cash came from, or did they ask you to provide proof/evidence?

Today, I’ve been asked to provide 4 months of bank statements, what happens next?

Just wondering what to expect from the review process.

Thanks.

They will review your statements and ask you where the cash is from.

How many deposits have been made, and how much were they?

Where did the money come from?

These reviews are focussed on (a) undisclosed earnings - eg from a 'side hustle' and (b) the £6/16k limits for capital. They're therefore likely to ask questions about cash landing in your account.

Money is only income/earnings if it's from a source specified in the regulatons. Otherwise it's capital. Gifts/loans from relatives or maintenance for children are examples of things disregarded.

Where has the cash you mention come from and what are the (ball park) sums?

drug sales ? Dont put them in your main account 🙄

I was literally panicking over the same situation for more than 2 months. My dad passed away (he lives abroad) and I sent money for multiple family members to start organise his funeral. Then, when I was back - I paid in cash (£480) which I got from friends and family in UK to help us with funeral. I was told things like "they'll close your claim", "you'll have to pay every penny back" , etc. My review lasted 9 minutes, I was asked about it and told the truth. As long as you don't have more than £6k in your accounts and it's not big sums, like paying thousands in - don't worry.

If you're not doing anything wrong you have nothing to worry about. Really.

Just had a review of 4 months bank statements.

I was asked about :
payments to and from my son (just who is X? Once I said My son. No further questions about the money)

What is X going in on X date for? (Consolidation loan which immediately paid off debt)

A transfer from savings.

And a few small loans to a friend.

Then they ask about any savings. ISAs. Property etc you might own

What money are you putting in? How much, how often and where is it from?

The lack of response from @Crazycatlover1 makes me think it's dodgy funds!

Not dodgy funds 😂 I hadn’t replied because unfortunately my cat suddenly became extremely unwell. We believe it was antifreeze poisoning from a neighbour and she passed away this morning, so this post completely left my mind. I also didn’t realise I’d had replies on here — I’ve literally just made an account and this is my first post, so I’m still figuring Mumsnet out.
To give more context, over the four months there are 6 cash deposits: £350, £300, £140, £600, £300 and £200, which comes to £1,890 in total — an average of £472.50 per month.
It wasn’t wages or money from working. Some of it came from selling my son’s bike and electric scooter. My mum also received an inheritance from her dad (my grandad) and gave me £1,200 in cash, which I didn’t deposit all at once. I kept the cash and deposited portions of it at different times when I needed funds in my bank.
My balance never goes above £1,000. The closest it generally gets is around £800-ish when my wages and UC top-up happen to come in close together.
I just feel that seeing several cash deposits together on four months of statements doesn’t look great, even though there are explanations for where the money came from. I’m probably overthinking it, I don’t have any proof of where the cash came from. I already struggle with anxiety.

If you sold the scooter do you not have messages from the buyer? Was it through fb or gumtree?

Why did your mum give you the inheritance in cash? If its through usual channels it would be transfered?

Is therena copy of a will stating your inheritance?

I don't really know what the situation would be but I would also be feeling a bit worried.

I sold the scooter to my sisters partner for his son and there is no evidence of that.

I didn’t receive any inheritance in the will, my mum shared what she got from her dad with me and my 2 siblings, it was her choice to do that. She took it out in cash and put it in an envelope and handed it to us, I don’t know why she didn’t transfer it, I didn’t ask.

You might be up shit creek then as if you cannot prove where it came from you cannot disprove you've been earning it.

I imagine they will extend to an enhanced review where they can ask for statements covering the whole timespan of your claim to see if this is an anomaly within the 4 months or something more consistent.

Ok thanks for advice xx

As you are new to MN, here is some advice. Never ask for advice on benefits on here. People will judge and give you wrong advice.

Post on one of the benefits subs on Reddit (or do a search to see if someone is in the same situation). They have DWP staff on there, and incorrect information/judging is zapped.

I had a review where I had also sold my own items. I told them exactly that. That it was money from selling my own items, and it was fine.

Sorry to hear about your cat

Your neighbour poisoned your cat with anti freeze? Why?

Where do you live where neighbours poison cats with anti freeze? Why would anyone poison a cat with antifreeze?

So sorry about the loss of your cat xx

Some people don't like cats and set out to deliberately kill them. There are some sick people in this world.