What goes into a UC review

[Awakeatnite]

Ive been told I’m getting a review of my universal credit. They were broad and said I need to send them information and they will ask for it in a few days (so I am left worrying about it until they do). The review will happen just before I’m due to get paid. I don’t know what it entails. Am I still going to get paid as usual on time or do they wait until the review is over.

I can’t find answers on YouTube just loads of videos about benefit cuts and fraud

Here's what gov.uk says:

https://www.gov.uk/universal-credit-reviews

Oh, doh, thanks 🙂

am I still going to get paid on time or do they wait until after the review

You’ll get paid on time most likely, as long as you send them everything they ask for within timescales they give you.

they have asked for the review to happen a few days before I am due to get paid. This Monday morning they will tell me what information they need.
i will need to upload my unedited, non-redacted transactions (there are a significant number of them where I have moved money from my main account and back again to categorise my money into “pots”, I also never use cash), have them review it, and also have the phone appointment they arrange to question me over transactions.
I don’t see how this can be done before I get paid. If it can’t be done before I get paid within the next few days, my question is are they going to hold back my payment until after the review.

They won’t take any payment suspension action as long as you comply with their requests within whatever timescale they give you. And of course, if after review everything you’ve declared is correct. You don’t need to worry as long as you’re not hiding savings/capital etc.

How do they determine if I have hid savings. I haven’t but I’ve moved money back and forth across my accounts which serve as pots to budget my money into categorises. If they had the ability to check this for themselves why would they be asking me for statements/the review. If they don’t have the ability I’m worried they will suspend my claim to investigate

I had this review and like you I move money between my Isa and my current account. I provided statements for both accounts and they didn't even query them because everything matched up. They just confirmed what a couple of other transactions were and queried the payment I get which is maintenance. All was fine, quick and painless.

Do they suspect me of fraud
Disabilityrights uk says Under current rules, DWP can only request details of a bank account holder’s transactions if there are reasonable grounds to suspect them of fraud.

No. There is a complete review going on at the moment. The comments about requesting transactions are for getting them directly from the bank not asking claimant to provide them.

Please do not panic. Everyone who is on UC goes through these reviews. They are standard and should be regular however there was a backlog due to covid apparently.

I had a review recently. It was fine and painless. You send them bank/savings statements then you will have a telephone appointment where they will query some transactions. Unless you've something to hide, there's really nothing to worry about.

I’ve just submitted my statements .
It feels belittling in a way to have to do this.
and they’re probably going to ask me what I’ve spent money on
i feel like a naughty child

OP, this is my job. They won't care what you spend your money on. It's more about checking the money you have coming in. If you move money around from one account to another and send in statements for these accounts, and everything tallies up, they won't even question it.

If you get the housing element of UC they'll want to check that you're paying your rent. When they call you, as long as everything is above board on your statements they won't even question what's on them. They ask if you have certain accounts (post office accounts, ISAs, PEPs, Investments, shares etc). Honestly the interviews usually aren't any longer than 5 minutes, and most people conducting them are in the same boat as you. I'm on £12ph and I also claim UC.

Everyone on uc is subject to these. They are not looking at whether you are buying coffee out or dominos pizza, they are checking that you are not receiving other income and moving it out of your account.

It does feel belittling but ultimately it’s because of all the fraudulent claims that they now have to routinely check all claims. It’s to make sure taxpayers money is being spent correctly. It’s a small price to pay for receiving welfare really. And like a previous poster said, majority of those doing the checks are on UC themselves.

Hey, I didn't want to hijack the thread but wanted to ask you as you said this is your job. My partner and I have a review coming up. I have seen some people say that after they have been asked for statements forthe last 4 months, they are then asked for statements going back 1, 2 maybe 6 years. Why would that be? Also, my partner was added onto my claim in Jan 2025 so could they ask for anything predating this time? I would appreciate your help x

Hey how was the review experience? Thank you