How long do UC investigations take?

[PinkSandySky]

Please no judgement for this as I know I will get a lot, I am simply asking for advice.

3-4 months ago I received a message in my journal to say I was booked for a compliance interview. I had the interview which was apparently triggered by an accusation I was living with my ex (I don't, I live with my parents) during the interview I also realised I had gone slightly over the savings threshold. The lady who did the interview was actually really nice and she said she didn't think the accusation would go any further but there would be calculations about how much I needed to repay. I provided 3 years worth of bank statements and received a repayment letter about a month later, which I quickly repaid. I haven't heard anything since.

I know wish to close my claim as I have decided to get by on my savings and earning for a while, as the accusation really caused me a lot of stress and I already have poor MH.

They said they can't close my claim at the moment as it is still being looked at by a specialist team. What does that mean? If I was going to go for an interview under caution would I have heard by now?

I now wish*

They have huge caseloads, really don’t worry. You were accused of something which you are not doing and have lots of proof you are not doing if you actually do live with your parents. It doesn’t matter how long they take to look at your interview transcript, that won’t change. You’re fine. Really.

The issue is their caseload. The interview has been done, but whoever is on your case just needs to look at it and sign it off. That can take weeks and weeks just for that to happen. It doesn’t mean anything, it doesn’t mean they are looking at getting you for something. It’s literally just workload.

Don’t close your claim. You are entitled to that money. When you’re working more, you won’t be so it balances out. You are allowed to live with your parents and claim, you’ve shown your evidence to dispute the accusation so don’t worry and don’t close your claim when it’s over just because of some twat.

Loads of people go over the savings limit and forget to update. When they realise or when UC do a compliance check, they just have to pay back some of their UC. It’s really not a big deal, happens all the time. You paid it back so it’s all sorted now.

Don’t let this worry you, and claim what you are entitled to so you can help get yourself back on track with work and life.

@BeltaLodaLife Thank you so much. Do you just think it’s a case of waiting for someone to sign it off rather than them still investigating me for fraud? I feel like I’m looking over my shoulder all the time and paranoid about anyone seeing my car outside my ex’s as I used to stop for a cuppa or whatever when I’d drop the children off as we’re still on good terms. I was really poorly with my MH last year and just feel like I’d rather not have someone like whoever reported me to have any reason to do something so malicious again.

This is a caseload issue and you might never hear back. The fact that an overpayment has already been set up means it's very likely there is no further action to be taken.

Try not to worry. I manage finances for my LD son and recently went through a routine UC financial review for him. It took months (February to July), not because it was complicated but simply I think bbecause of the reviewer's caseload. I also got the impression that their work is checked by others, which slows things down further.

The most likely reason really is just waiting for someone to sign it off. They’ll have a huge laid of cases so it just takes time. They obviously do also check over your answers and review evidence, but taking a long time to do that really doesn’t mean anything bad at all. It’s just caseload. It’s also summer so lots of people on annual leave meaning more work for fewer employees.

If you actually do live with your parents and you’ve shown them that then don’t worry. There isn’t anything for them to find. They’ve already processed the overpayment so the only issue has been taken care of.

Don’t worry about it. If it does somehow come back with more questions or concerns then you’ll be able to answer them because you’re innocent of the accusations so just forget about it while they do their thing in the background and you carry on!

Thanks everyone. I asked in my journal what exactly I’m waiting for as I have paid my overpayment or was it regarding the accusation of living with my ex and the lady who conducted my interview replied “compliance action is still ongoing following your telephone interview” which I’m not too sure what that means. It just worries me that whoever reported me might think they have “proof” eg if they have seen each of our cars outside the others house, or when we’ve had days out with the kids on occasion. We genuinely are not together but the fact we’re on good terms has bitten us! (Well, me)

You just have to let it run its course and if they somehow do come back and say they believe you are living with him, then you appeal it. Maybe make sure everything is up to date like address with the doctor and the bank and in your diving license, have lots of photos evidence of nights in with your parents and photos of your kid having dinner at home with you and your parents and make sure your rooms there have all your things in them.

You really don’t have to, but if it will make
you feel better then just cover all your bases.

They’ll be doing whatever checks they feel they need to but it’s also probably sitting on a pile of work for someone to do so I really wouldn’t panic over it. You’re not lying so you’re fine.