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Universal credit review -help!

4 replies

ByPeachEagle · 11/08/2025 18:25

Hi,

We’ve been asked to submit our bank accounts etc for a universal credit review, which is all fine, I declare our earnings from self employment to the penny every month on time. But for the last year I have been helping my husband (who is the coach) run our daughter’s football team- and this is where I’m now extremely worried!!!

We are a small team, part of a larger club. Each month the parents pay money into one of my unused savings accounts for subs, this sits there and we use it to pay pitch fees, kit fees, for equipment etc throughout the year then at the end of each season we then transfer the remaining subs to the main football account. This is how all the teams (12 of us in total) manage each season.

All the references go under as “(name) subs” and then all spendings I have receipts for. I have a spreadsheet where I track the incomings for each player, I also have evidence of transferring unused subs to main club account on my bank statement at the end of the season. The money isn’t ours, we don’t use it for anything connected to us - it’s just the way we manage the team- everyone does the same!

now they have asked for all my bank statements and stupidly I hadn’t even thought about this being requested! I’m panicking massively, my anxiety is in overdrive and I can’t sleep that we’re going to be in serious trouble- for money that isn’t even ours or we even use!

Im an honest, hardworking person, I do everything by the book in terms of self employment earnings and reporting these and tax returns etc. now I feel like I’m going to be in trouble for helping out in my volunteer role!! can anyone reassure me that this is all going to be ok?

OP posts:
MsPengiuns · 11/08/2025 18:30

I think as you have records it will be fine if you explain but may be best to move it to a business account so no issues in future.

PrincessC0nsuelaBananaHammock · 11/08/2025 18:35

Firstly, take a deep breath and please stop worrying! Have you submitted statements for all your accounts? Or just the one your UC goes into? Regardless, they will likely ask during the interview, if you just explain what the transactions are for, it'll be fine. You have evidence for everything. As long as you're honest, nothing will happen.

If it's weighing on you, leave a detailed journal message for the agent doing the review (their name will be at the end of the message they sent you about the review), explaining everything. It will be taken into account and made a note of. I've had claimaints leaving journal messages explaining transactions before and it helps and makes the review easier.

SuchiRolls · 11/08/2025 19:06

As above, as long as you have a reasonable explanation as submit the accounts and transfers etc can all be explained they’ll be ok with it. You have the paper trail, so to speak. We had our first UC review last year and we were so worried, but actually it was all ok. I could explain every transaction questioned (such as pocket money to the kids or money I owed to my mum etc.) The person doing the review was so lovely and completely put us at ease.

ByPeachEagle · 11/08/2025 23:31

Thank you- you’ve really helped put my mind at ease. When I was looking for advice on Facebook etc I started reading some right horror stories! I have depression and anxiety, we also face financial hardships and currently working with step change on a DMP, it’s been a tough year and this just set me off spiralling. Everything can be accounted for and the money that is in that account isnt ours so to speak! But moving forwards I’m going to recruit someone else to take over this aspect of the team, just to avoid any other issues in the future. Thanks for the replies

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