Universal credit review 2026

[honeyy]

Hey guys.

It is the first time I’m having my review. I have sent all my bank statements and received the journal message to say they will call.

I believe they ask if you have PayPal which I do. However my mum and I share it. My mum is very old and IT illiterate. She cannot use computers/ laptops or use her mobile for online shopping.

I help her with her day to day care. My mum asks me to help her online shopping/ FaceTiming relatives and ordering her medical pads/ authority for all doctor appointments, with her authority linked her card so she can buy what she likes.

there are 3 transactions in a period of 3 months ( between 5-25 pounds) which are my mums on PayPal. They rest are mine.

Im concerned this will affect my review ??

any advice xxx

Not sure if these are PP sales or purchases but I can't see why a handful of transactions of nugatory value would raise any issues for them.

Reviews are about checking for things like undisclosed capital or evidence of cash in hand working not the minutiae of spending or selling bits of unwanted 'stuff'.

If you are asked then just explain the circumstances. It you're penalised in any way then seek advice from CA or similar.

Ah okay.

Yes there is zero income- no capital or side business-

Just mum has a few transactions on PayPal. The PayPal balance is 0.

I will explain the situation. It’s just so worrying whenever anything official comes on. Daunting.

They’re more checking if you have a PayPal balance. I had a review last week for my disabled son (I’m his appointee) they asked about specific transactions so be logged into online banking or have the statements in front of you. They will ask about savings accounts so if you have any of them have the balances available and order statements if you can.

@TwoBlueFish good point about balances held in paypal etc.

Thanks guys! You’ve been so helpful!

Balances are 0 on PayPal.

Hope everything goes well with the review. Xx

Didn't even ask about my Paypal or my child savings accounts. Just pot luck what they check

Hey guys. Had my review! I had the 4 month period review.

We had the call and checked all the 4 month period -the end of the 4 months- my balance was 500 at 31/12/2025. So they have reported that as change in circumstances and said they will send it to a decision maker to decide what to do next.

They have said I now need to report how much my balance is each month in my journal so they can see what I’m left with each one so this was class as capital now.

You confirmed the following changes:- On 31 dec 2025, your total money, savings and investments was £500As agreed, we have reported these changes on your behalf.This will be handed over to a decision maker and if the declared changes result in a change to your entitlement of Universal Credit, you will be notified of that separately and your statements will be updated to reflect your correct entitlement.You should report any future changes of your circumstances as soon as possible to ensure that you are paid the correct amount of Universal Credit.

Sounds like a badly worded but generic response and that everything was fine. You can have savings of up to £6k without it making any difference to your entitlement.

How is having a balance of £500 a change in circumstances? That makes no sense. And you don't have to report your balance every month unless it is over £6k.

I thought the same! I feel it is just a way of them seeing what your balance is each month.

The balance is your capital in bank which counts as savings so if it reaches over 6k then they will know.

Invasive way to make you check in with your balance each month in your journal to keep getting your entitled monies.

And why would they need to send my balance of 500 to a decision maker?? What exactly is he/she deciding at this point?

Could be a way to ask for further statements going back years to be nosey - but just need a reason to do it. Surely would need to be a valid reason.

makes no sense

It makes sense to report your capital over £6k, but not every month for any amount under that. That is a waste of time and admin. They do not give a shit if you have under £6k.

A decision maker for you having £500? Fucking hell, I have that every month once I get my UC paid. Do I have to report that and wait to see if I am still allowed benefits? That makes no sense. They are the ones that paid me... what would they be waiting for?

Have a look at the benefits subs on Reddit. Lots of actual DWP staff there, and I can tell you now that they will say that you don't have to report anything under £6k every month. I have seen that query come up before.

This is a generic message that has to be sent to anyone whose capital balance has changed during the assessment period. Yes it’s badly worded and ridiculous when you’re so far under the capital limit. Believe me, many of us have kicked up a fuss about the ridiculous wording especially when it’s not actually going to go to a bloody decision maker!

They need to change it then. At best, it sounds like you have to report your balance every month, even if it is well below the £6k.... and at worst, report every tiny change... like every time you go to the shop and spend money.
It just causes unnecessary anxiety for claimants.

ive just finished my sons review (I’m his appointee) and have been told the same as you. I’ve got a report the balance in his savings account every month (he’s well below the £6k limit).

I’m the sister in law. Are you ok?

Wut?

No. They are not looking for small amounts of money going between you and close family.

They are after large sums moving in and out swiftly without reasonable explanation. Or indication of work you shouldn't be doing or having over 16k.

It's perfectly reasonable that you and your mum buy eachother small things or split things or lend/ gift eachother small amounts sometimes.

After my review call they asked my paypal( nothing there just some purchases and refunds). Nearly 4 weeks haven’t heard back, it makes me anxious 😔