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Original poster

UC want all my money back…

577 replies

MapleHazelLatte · 19/09/2025 08:11

I applied for UC when I separated from DC’s father 3 years ago. I have since been living with my parents and he stayed in the house we bought together. I’ve been asking him to take my name of the mortgage to give me my share but he just has been dragging his heels about it. I applied for UC when we split up.

i then got a notification to say I was having a review phone call. Apparently someone had accused me of still being with DC’s father. I had to send all my bank statements for the last 3 years and fill out forms regarding the house. Originally I vaguely remember they did say they would disregard the house for 6 months then I heard no more.

a couple of months later I was told I had been overpaid but it was only slightly and a manageable amount to pay back.

I’ve not got another letter saying I shouldn’t have got UC since 2022 and they want ALL the money back other than the first 6 months. It’s “disallowed” I’ve worked this out to be around £30k. I have no idea what I’m going to do. Anyone else been in this situation ??

OP posts:
Original poster
MapleHazelLatte · 19/09/2025 08:12

*now got a letter

OP posts:
pmtorpmdd · 19/09/2025 08:16

The house will have to be sold then you pay them back from that

Billybagpuss · 19/09/2025 08:18

OK first things first don’t panic, they can’t get blood out of a stone so they’re going to have to work to a reasonable timeline.

How much equity is in the house that you will be entitled to? It might be that you will have to try and force a sale.

Make an appointment with the local citizen’s advice they will be able to look through it with you and help provide a plan going forward.

Good luck.

ComfortFoodCafe · 19/09/2025 08:19

The house needs to be sold & you need to repay them from the house sale. Unfortunately that is the only option unless they accept a payment plan but at 30k it may be difficult to agree to an amount that doesnt take decades to repay.

Original poster
MapleHazelLatte · 19/09/2025 08:21

My ex won’t sell the house, I’ve asked him before. He said if he buys me out I’d be entitled he worked out to about £16k-£20k so it wouldn’t cover it all. I’m terrified bailiffs are going to turn up at my parents house cos of me. They had asked in my journal a few times if I had got any money out of the house and I’d always said no as my ex still lived there so I thought as I’d been upfront about my name still being on it that it would be ok.

OP posts:
ComfortFoodCafe · 19/09/2025 08:21

MapleHazelLatte · 19/09/2025 08:21

My ex won’t sell the house, I’ve asked him before. He said if he buys me out I’d be entitled he worked out to about £16k-£20k so it wouldn’t cover it all. I’m terrified bailiffs are going to turn up at my parents house cos of me. They had asked in my journal a few times if I had got any money out of the house and I’d always said no as my ex still lived there so I thought as I’d been upfront about my name still being on it that it would be ok.

You need to take him to court to force the sale. Stop asking and push it.

napody · 19/09/2025 08:21

Billybagpuss · 19/09/2025 08:18

OK first things first don’t panic, they can’t get blood out of a stone so they’re going to have to work to a reasonable timeline.

How much equity is in the house that you will be entitled to? It might be that you will have to try and force a sale.

Make an appointment with the local citizen’s advice they will be able to look through it with you and help provide a plan going forward.

Good luck.

I don't understand what you mean 'they would disregard the house for 6 months'. As you were separated you were entitled to claim? Not sure what you've done wrong here so I agree, talk it through with citizens advice. Even if you'd been living together separately immediately after breaking up you'd be entitled to claim.

ComfortFoodCafe · 19/09/2025 08:24

napody · 19/09/2025 08:21

I don't understand what you mean 'they would disregard the house for 6 months'. As you were separated you were entitled to claim? Not sure what you've done wrong here so I agree, talk it through with citizens advice. Even if you'd been living together separately immediately after breaking up you'd be entitled to claim.

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Because uc count it as an assest after 6 months similar to savings over 6k. They would of expected op to sell it hence the 6 months grace period.
its completely unfair & wrong for those in this situation but thats how they do things.

Original poster
MapleHazelLatte · 19/09/2025 08:25

From what I can gather - the house is seen as equity? So they are now saying I’ve had over £16k equity or something all along minus the 6 months they “disregarded” it, so my UC claim has been disallowed for the rest of that time. They haven’t sent me the amount they’ve calculated so they might say even more but I’ve just gone through all my statements and it came to about £30k. How do I go to court with no money 😔

OP posts:
Tiredofwhataboutery · 19/09/2025 08:25

napody · 19/09/2025 08:21

I don't understand what you mean 'they would disregard the house for 6 months'. As you were separated you were entitled to claim? Not sure what you've done wrong here so I agree, talk it through with citizens advice. Even if you'd been living together separately immediately after breaking up you'd be entitled to claim.

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Owning a house your not living in counts as savings so wouldn’t be entitled. There are exceptions so if your child was living there with former partner etc. Otherwise it’s disregarded for six months and then counts as savings

Billybagpuss · 19/09/2025 08:25

MapleHazelLatte · 19/09/2025 08:21

My ex won’t sell the house, I’ve asked him before. He said if he buys me out I’d be entitled he worked out to about £16k-£20k so it wouldn’t cover it all. I’m terrified bailiffs are going to turn up at my parents house cos of me. They had asked in my journal a few times if I had got any money out of the house and I’d always said no as my ex still lived there so I thought as I’d been upfront about my name still being on it that it would be ok.

Don’t for goodness sake take his word on what you’d be entitled to, get an independent valuation. CAB will be able to advise on forcing the sale too.

BeastAngelMadwoman · 19/09/2025 08:25

I don't really understand what they think you've done wrong here. I get a bit of UC and own my house. I obviously don't get the housing element but I'm assuming you haven't either if you've been upfront about owning a house. Is it because you've been living with parents and their income should have been taken into account too?

Don't panic- find out exactly why they're saying you owe it first.

ComfortFoodCafe · 19/09/2025 08:26

MapleHazelLatte · 19/09/2025 08:25

From what I can gather - the house is seen as equity? So they are now saying I’ve had over £16k equity or something all along minus the 6 months they “disregarded” it, so my UC claim has been disallowed for the rest of that time. They haven’t sent me the amount they’ve calculated so they might say even more but I’ve just gone through all my statements and it came to about £30k. How do I go to court with no money 😔

How much are you earning monthly? Do you still live with parents?

ComfortFoodCafe · 19/09/2025 08:27

BeastAngelMadwoman · 19/09/2025 08:25

I don't really understand what they think you've done wrong here. I get a bit of UC and own my house. I obviously don't get the housing element but I'm assuming you haven't either if you've been upfront about owning a house. Is it because you've been living with parents and their income should have been taken into account too?

Don't panic- find out exactly why they're saying you owe it first.

Yes but you live in your house, the rules are different if you own a house and dont live in it.

Original poster
MapleHazelLatte · 19/09/2025 08:27

@BeastAngelMadwoman from what I can gather (mostly from Google and chat GPT as UC give such vague answers) they have classed my name being on a house I’m not residing in as capital over £16k. I’ve told them all along my name is still on the mortgage though, I never hid it.

OP posts:
Original poster
MapleHazelLatte · 19/09/2025 08:28

@ComfortFoodCafe my youngest doesn’t start school until next year so I’m only working 2 days a week and take home around £700. Yes we’re still with them.

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LoftyRobin · 19/09/2025 08:29

MapleHazelLatte · 19/09/2025 08:27

@BeastAngelMadwoman from what I can gather (mostly from Google and chat GPT as UC give such vague answers) they have classed my name being on a house I’m not residing in as capital over £16k. I’ve told them all along my name is still on the mortgage though, I never hid it.

But can you see why having such an asset would mean that you shouldn't have access to benefits like UC? You have a pot of money sat there that could be rising all the time and when you don't need the benefit system as much, you can just cash it in.

You need to force ex to sell or buy you out.

napody · 19/09/2025 08:30

Tiredofwhataboutery · 19/09/2025 08:25

Owning a house your not living in counts as savings so wouldn’t be entitled. There are exceptions so if your child was living there with former partner etc. Otherwise it’s disregarded for six months and then counts as savings

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Ah didn't realise this. That's awful for people (women) in abusive relationships who just need to get out. OP i know UC will be reasonable about timescales and repayment plans. When you talk to citizens advice hopefully they can advise on where to go solicitor-wise. Your ex needs to sell up or pay you out properly.

LoftyRobin · 19/09/2025 08:30

napody · 19/09/2025 08:30

Ah didn't realise this. That's awful for people (women) in abusive relationships who just need to get out. OP i know UC will be reasonable about timescales and repayment plans. When you talk to citizens advice hopefully they can advise on where to go solicitor-wise. Your ex needs to sell up or pay you out properly.

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That's why they give you 6 months.

napody · 19/09/2025 08:32

LoftyRobin · 19/09/2025 08:30

That's why they give you 6 months.

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Clearly not enough if he's refusing to sell- do you have any idea how long forcing a sale takes? Can you see its hardly the same as having a second home as 'a pot of money just sitting there'. If you see this rule as fair I can't help you.

Bromptotoo · 19/09/2025 08:35

@MapleHazelLatte you need proper advice. Today.

I'd suggest Citizen's Advice but other services are also available.

Have they given you a detailed written explanation for the overpayment decision? Is it the value of the house occupied by your ex or are there other issues too - you mention somebody asserting you were still together.

Overlooking the property was a big mistake. There are other disregards as well as the six months upon estrangement:

https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2013/376/schedule/10

Have you taken any legal advice about ending your relationship and financial arrangements that flow from doing so?

If the ex is living there and won't move the real market value of the property will be significantly reduced. What would a willing buyer pay for a half share in a place with a sitting occupier who won't move.

That, and not what an identical property with vacant possession would fetch, is the start point.

Your share is 50% of what's left after allowing 10% for selling costs and paying off mortgage and any other secured loans.

butterfly0404 · 19/09/2025 08:39

Forcing a sale via the courts is expensive and long process if Ex is Obstructive.

UC are in cloud cuckoo land if they think 6 months is enough time. It will take lo ger than that just to get a court date. I would speak with CAB and get them to negotiate on your behalf and maybe they can force the sale...it's in their interests

Summerhillsquare · 19/09/2025 08:40

Billybagpuss · 19/09/2025 08:25

Don’t for goodness sake take his word on what you’d be entitled to, get an independent valuation. CAB will be able to advise on forcing the sale too.

Show quote history

Yes, this is your priority surely, that's a large amount of money you're owed regardless.

LoftyRobin · 19/09/2025 08:40

napody · 19/09/2025 08:32

Clearly not enough if he's refusing to sell- do you have any idea how long forcing a sale takes? Can you see its hardly the same as having a second home as 'a pot of money just sitting there'. If you see this rule as fair I can't help you.

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I don't need help, thanks.

You need to start filing for these things as soon as you leave/split. I can't imagine owning a house and still believing the benefit system should provide basic living costs for me

Original poster
MapleHazelLatte · 19/09/2025 08:43

No I don’t think it’s anything to do with the accusation anymore, up to now I’ve not been invited to an interview under caution or anything. The date they said it’s been disallowed since matches up with the 6 months after I started to get payments so it’s got to be that, surely

OP posts: