Claiming UC & Family member using bank account

[ThatPerkyBeaker]

Hello,

I’m struggling to find a direct answer online.

I will need to be claiming UC soon, but I have a family member who uses an old bank account of mines to have their wages paid into before they are withdrawn - they have used this for years so it’s never on my mind.

I’m aware or UC reviews, would this be determent to me in assessments if I had proof the wages weren’t mines and were going back out?

I have asked the family member to change to a different account for their wages but unsure how long that would take. 🙃

Thanks for any advice!

You’ve been kind and unwise - I did this once for a bankrupt family member but I wouldn’t do it these days as it could be flagged as money laundering and affect benefits / tax codes etc.
Your relative can open another account now and organise for their wages to be paid into it. Go to the bank and close it as soon as you can.

Yes they need to get t heir own account now you can't have that.

If you're unsure about how long it will take, it will take about 4-5 working days. So day 1 is the day he goes into the bank to do it.

You need to get the family member to open and use an account in their name ASAP as the receipt of the funds and the account history could be detrimental to your UC reviews as they are unlikely to accept the explanation you have given. A bank account can be opened in a matter of a few days - assuming they aren’t an undischarged bankrupt or their credit rating is poor. The credit rating might be an issue as if they have been using your account and dealing in cash they will not have built up a history.

UC will see it as your money. Close the account asap and cut ties with that.