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 name
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.

My brothers have had this. It was just a review to see if everything was still the same. They asked a few questions and they sent a few bank statements and all was done.

Please try to take your mind off it. Unless you've been doing something bad it's fine.

It may be that UC want to query the backdated DLA paid into your account as if it is your income but given that they will be aware it is DLA paid for your child may also want to check whether you are claiming CA or if you are entitled to carers element of UC.

I suspect it's just a routine check to ensure everything on their records is correct. They've recently changed the script they read out when people make telephone claims to emphasise the existence of these checks.

It’s a review, everyone has them to ensure all is ok and you are claiming what you are entitled to, my friend was told she could claim extra!

You already have another exact same thread running on this although you have had some ridiculously stupid suggestions on that thread so I can understand why you would start another !.

If it was a review it would say review. Compliance is something different.

Yeah I had mine recently and it didn’t say the word compliance

Are you working at all? Have you got a partner who’s been staying over? Do you have savings that you haven’t declared?

as long as everything you’ve told them is correct then I wouldn’t worry. My friend had a compliance interview when her savings had gone over £6k and she hadn’t told them. She just had to pay back the overpayment.

As your child is now receding DLA there should be an added disabled child element on your claim and you should ask them to backpay it as well.

Do not get into a panic. There is no nerd. Just gather your documentation ahead of time, like your NI, your son"s claim, your claim, prescriptions, specoalist letters, sick notes..
This kind of thing is what they will request as evidence. Most likely, not during the interview itself, but it is good to be prepared.
Just chill. Nothing bad has happened. This type of review is quite common. It makes sense to review claims periodically.

My last compliance review was because someone reported me for fraud (malicious report by someone who didn't like me marrying into her family).

After a review they found out they were actually underpaying me and I ended up getting a large back payment and a new higher weekly amount.

They don't assume guilt, they just look at what the facts are vs what the award is, and check it all matches. If it does match, nothing will happen.

You're getting incorrect advice here. A review and a compliance interview aren’t the same. Compliance is usually someone has reported you for something. You aren’t in trouble (unless you are actually committing fraud), it’s just to check that the report is factual. If you can prove everything you’re asked for, they’ll close the report and you’ll continue. Some people are very petty!

Yes I’ve been posting the same till I’m blue in the face and then along comes yet another poster saying it’s just a review…OMG. The advice on here beggars belief sometimes.

gather your documentation ahead of time, like your NI, your son"s claim, your claim, prescriptions, specialist letters, sick notes

This. Get organised now so you’ll have the information you will need to answer their questions at your fingertips and won’t get flustered.

A compliance interview is to make sure the claimant is complying with the rules.Maybe someone is alleging fraud. 🤷‍♀️

A reviewis a planned or random check to make sure the correct amounts are being paid.

Does anyone know you are on benefits ?@courtneyk92

You could ring Citizens Advice or similar for a benefit check before the interview. CA should be able to tell you what your UC award should be, based on your specific circumstances. Make sure you have all award letters etc to hand so you can tell them on the phone how much you receive in PIP, DLA etc and how much your rent is (if you rent). Also details of any savings.

As someone upthread mentioned, you should now get 'disabled child element' added to your UC because your child is getting DLA. There are 2 rates of disabled child element - one is worth over £400pm so ask CA to identify which rate you're entitled to. Ask about backdating too.

If you're single, you can't get the 'carer element' (even if otherwise eligible because of caring for your child who receives DLA) because you're getting LCWRA - and the 2 can't be paid at the same time (LCWRA is worth more). If it's a joint UC claim and partner does the necessary caring, the carer element could be added.

If a benefit check highlights that there is any kind of issue with your benefits, CA should be able to advise you/ offer support. Good luck and try not to worry too much.