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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:
noodlebugz · 20/09/2025 08:16

Perhaps I’d go as far as saying the need for control is financial abuse - if you can’t access the money from the house and nothing is changing.

Booksaresick · 20/09/2025 08:44

Sultryjazznights · 19/09/2025 16:50

OP has the get up and go to claim benefits (she is not entitled to) but somehow plays stupid when it come to selling/claiming from a property she has a legal interest in. Plus making no attempt (she says) to make a legal claim for maintenance from her ex.

Could it be there is more to this that we are not privy to. What else dies DWP know.

That’s a good point as OP highlighted in her original post that she has been accused by someone of still being with her partner and defrauding benefits. That’s what caused the review if I understand it correctly.
perhaps there is more to it.

Blushingm · 20/09/2025 09:35

Jesuisatot · 19/09/2025 20:13

Sorry, posting error there...

In particular cases the value of property can be disregarded (ignored) on a long term basis. For example, the capital value of your former home can be disregarded from a means tested benefit calculation if:

  • your former home is occupied by a relative who is incapacitated or over Pension Credit qualifying age
  • your former home is occupied by your former partner who is a lone parent,
In the cases above the capital value is disregarded for as long as it is occupied by the relative or former partner (while they are a lone parent).

He’s not a lone parent though…..

Rosscameasdoody · 20/09/2025 09:36

Booksaresick · 20/09/2025 08:44

That’s a good point as OP highlighted in her original post that she has been accused by someone of still being with her partner and defrauding benefits. That’s what caused the review if I understand it correctly.
perhaps there is more to it.

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There doesn’t need to be more to it. DWP have everything they need to demand the money back unless OP can successfully challenge it. What doesn’t make sense to me is that given OP advised DWP of the situation when she made the initial claim, why did they continue to pay her for another two and a half years, knowing that she wasn’t entitled.

Blushingm · 20/09/2025 09:37

noodlebugz · 20/09/2025 08:16

Perhaps I’d go as far as saying the need for control is financial abuse - if you can’t access the money from the house and nothing is changing.

But she could have if she had gone to a solicitor and started proceedings - but she’s done absolutely nothing to even start the process………she had the motivation enough to apply for UC, she was told she would have a disregard for 6 months but she did nothing

Blushingm · 20/09/2025 09:38

Rosscameasdoody · 20/09/2025 09:36

There doesn’t need to be more to it. DWP have everything they need to demand the money back unless OP can successfully challenge it. What doesn’t make sense to me is that given OP advised DWP of the situation when she made the initial claim, why did they continue to pay her for another two and a half years, knowing that she wasn’t entitled.

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It’s the claimants responsibility to report things - she was told 6 months but she didn’t get back in touch to say nothing had happened with regards to the property - if she had been trying they may have extended the period.

Rosscameasdoody · 20/09/2025 09:39

Blushingm · 20/09/2025 09:37

But she could have if she had gone to a solicitor and started proceedings - but she’s done absolutely nothing to even start the process………she had the motivation enough to apply for UC, she was told she would have a disregard for 6 months but she did nothing

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OP did nothing l agree, but then neither did DWP. For two and a half years they continued to overpay her, having advised her she would no longer qualify after six months.

Rosscameasdoody · 20/09/2025 09:43

Blushingm · 20/09/2025 09:38

It’s the claimants responsibility to report things - she was told 6 months but she didn’t get back in touch to say nothing had happened with regards to the property - if she had been trying they may have extended the period.

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That doesn’t explain the payments carrying on for over two years - the six month grace period would/should have been noted on the original claim and a review scheduled.

JohnofWessex · 20/09/2025 09:51

UC are experts in not seeing what is in front of them

I speak from experience

Blushingm · 20/09/2025 09:54

Rosscameasdoody · 20/09/2025 09:43

That doesn’t explain the payments carrying on for over two years - the six month grace period would/should have been noted on the original claim and a review scheduled.

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It’s her responsibility to report that she’s not done a jot to change the situation

Imagine how much it would cost and how long it would to take to review every claim? It’s impossible. Claimants need to be honest

Blushingm · 20/09/2025 09:55

Rosscameasdoody · 20/09/2025 09:39

OP did nothing l agree, but then neither did DWP. For two and a half years they continued to overpay her, having advised her she would no longer qualify after six months.

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Exactly - they advised her she had 6 months. So she should have contacted them in 6 months - she had a responsibility to do that, same as she had a responsibility to sort out the property ownership but for 2 1/2 years she did neither.

Kerensa70 · 20/09/2025 09:55

That’s an awful lot of money they paid you in such a short time. Good luck in trying to sort it out.

Booksaresick · 20/09/2025 09:58

OP if you are still here- are you the same poster who still has a shared bank account with your ex? I remember the circumstances being identical, plus the fact that there was shared bank account from which the woman took money as needed for the kids (with no formal child maintenance).

Lemonandlime79 · 20/09/2025 10:17

According to the shelter website that someone linked previously, it says that the property is ignored if your ex partner lives there and is a single parent, or if your partner lives there and you have to live elsewhere.
So if the OP's ex has the kids for overnight stays, could the property then be ignored?
Or if he is abusive and she has had to leave , then is the property not ignored also?

Treesandsheepeverywhere · 20/09/2025 10:18

GAJLY · 19/09/2025 09:29

I'd ask for an appointed chat through the journal. If they want paying back, you could offer a pound a week. I'd contact a solicitor to get some money and your name removed from the deeds. Perhaps the house sale money could be given to your mum to look after, you could say you repaid a debt you owed her. So it doesn't affect your UC claim, also they don't ask for it towards the debt.

Edited

You're advising criminality behaviour!

KilkennyCats · 20/09/2025 10:21

Lemonandlime79 · 20/09/2025 10:17

According to the shelter website that someone linked previously, it says that the property is ignored if your ex partner lives there and is a single parent, or if your partner lives there and you have to live elsewhere.
So if the OP's ex has the kids for overnight stays, could the property then be ignored?
Or if he is abusive and she has had to leave , then is the property not ignored also?

Why would it be ignored to enable someone with significant assets to claim benefits?
The children live with op. It’s nobody’s fault but op’s that she hasn’t bothered to force a house sale to realise the assets.
Should she be allowed to allow them to continue to accumulate while claiming assistance from the state?

Lemonandlime79 · 20/09/2025 10:22

@Blushingm but if he has the kids overnight for a few nights a week for example, then can't they disregard the property? As he is sharing custody with the OP and so is therefore a single parent whilst the OP is also a single parent.
I obviously don't know if he does have the kids overnight but just thought this could be a loophole whereby the property is disregarded.

Lemonandlime79 · 20/09/2025 10:26

@KilkennyCats I'm just reiterating what the Shelter website says. What if for example the children also live part time with the dad, then the property could possibly be ignored, that's what I am gathering from the website.

Treesandsheepeverywhere · 20/09/2025 10:29

SparklingRivers · 19/09/2025 09:31

You'll be receiving the same allowance as everyone else on it - 400 a month personal allowance and
"For your first child (born before 6 April 2017) £339
For your first child (born on or after 6 April 2017) £292.81
For your second child and any other eligible children £292.81 per child"

So around £1000 with 2 children. You must be earning quite a lot per month to only be getting 100 with renting costs included as you have to earn £400 + nearly double your UC allowance to get nothing, so not sure why you're jealous of someone living off £1k a month squashed in with their parents.

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@INeedNewShoes 's comment didn't read as jealousy. Could be helpful to OP and others knowing what others get.

whynotwhatknot · 20/09/2025 10:35

ImGoneUnderground · 20/09/2025 03:34

Did they declare it when making the claim?? A Review may ask that question - please be aware, if not declared and then its found to be not declared, it may be considered fraudulent, or non compliance - if your don't tell them how would they know? So many claims (over 2 million+ & most made during 'Covid' time) are currently being reviewed - best to be upfront or ask advice?? May be innocent, but when making the claim, the question is asked eg - property that you own? May be OK, but maybe best to check?? Depends on whether its considered as 'asset' or not. (or whether she lives in the house etc). (eg - You are allowed to own a house when on UC if living there).xx

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yep she declared it and lived there they were separated but she had nowhere else to go

Hammy19 · 20/09/2025 10:43

Roobarbtwo · 19/09/2025 14:31

He's paying the full mortgage - why does he need to pay her rent?

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@Blushingm @Roobarbtwo

That's all good and well. However, I work for the DWP and they will ask this question

Roobarbtwo · 20/09/2025 11:03

Lemonandlime79 · 20/09/2025 10:22

@Blushingm but if he has the kids overnight for a few nights a week for example, then can't they disregard the property? As he is sharing custody with the OP and so is therefore a single parent whilst the OP is also a single parent.
I obviously don't know if he does have the kids overnight but just thought this could be a loophole whereby the property is disregarded.

He doesn't

Bromptotoo · 20/09/2025 11:36

SemiRetiredLoveGoddeess · 20/09/2025 01:42

Forget Citizens Advice..Your problem. sounds quite complex..Go and talk.to a proper qualified Solicitor for advice for sn hour

Hope you can get something sorted

Best Wishes
🌻🤞

In benefit terms it's pretty straightforward; a contested overpayment decision.

Doesn't need a lawyer at this stage and even if it goes to the First-tier Tribunal the judges are quite interventionist to ensure appellant benefit claimants get their proper crack of the whip.

Right down CA's street at either MR or Tribunal stage.

Blushingm · 20/09/2025 11:52

Hammy19 · 20/09/2025 10:43

@Blushingm @Roobarbtwo

That's all good and well. However, I work for the DWP and they will ask this question

Show quote history

And Im saying they should. She’s getting the benefit of owning a property - someone else paying the mortgage and eventually she will have more assets as he’s paying if the mortgage so there will be even more equity

Bromptotoo · 20/09/2025 12:30

Blushingm · 20/09/2025 11:52

And Im saying they should. She’s getting the benefit of owning a property - someone else paying the mortgage and eventually she will have more assets as he’s paying if the mortgage so there will be even more equity

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We don't know how much equity whether it's increasing.

It's of no value to the OP until either chummy leaves and it's sold with vacant possession or he buys her out.