Universal Credit claim review - PLEASE HELP!

[Mumof3gome]

I just want to start this message with saying - please no judgement..

So just for a bit of background I'm a 30 year old female, full time carer to my son and my grandmother. I have 3 children 1 boy aged 12, 2 girls aged 10 & 2. I live with my all my children and my partner.

We have a joint universal credit claim, I also receive High Rate DLA for my son and carers allowance. My partner works full time.

I have been helping out a family friend for around 2 years, just popping in when I'm nearby and doing some little household chores/ironing/helping with washing/picking up food etc for them, during this time I didn't receive any money from the family friend at all. But 6 months ago I passed my driving test and he insisted on sending me some money weekly for petrol/spend on the kids/get yourself something nice. I think the reason he wanted to start sending me some money is because I'm also doing his washing and drying and picking it up and taking it back so he's aware that is quite a bit to do without payment - I never ever asked for money I just wanted to help this family friend.

Now the problem is - UC have just asked for 4 months of banks statements from me and my partner for a claim review. I sent them all obviously, and I was speaking to a friend that also had a review and she has said that the money he sends me weekly (anywhere from £30-£60 never any more than that) is going to be seen as regular income 😭😭😭

I'm now absolutely petrified as I just didn't consider this to be a "job" or income, it's more a favour and a out the kindness of my heart type thing! I really don't know what to do but I can't eat, I can't sleep. I'm so scared 😭!!!

If anybody has ANY advice whatsoever on what the outcome of this is going to be or what I am going to say or do I'd be so grateful 😩

Thank you for reading xx

Yes it will be seen as regular income that is not declared

its such a small amount you could have easily declared and would have not impacted the sum you receive

the issue might be not declaring to HMRC despite no tax being applicable you still have to inform

I’d be more concerned as to the why UC have suddenly asked for this

it’s either been flagged by bank (very unlikely of small amounts as you say)
or someone has reported
Or… something else is troubling the DWP about your finances

Have you spoken to the person doing your review yet? Leave them a journal message either asking for a call so you can explain, or explain in the message. They will probably bring it up during the interview, but it won't be a problem. As long as you tell them what it's for.

This is absolutely not true. Anyone with a UC claim that has been claiming for 6 months or more is reviewed. It's completely standard.

I know, I really just didn't see it as a job - I've been very naive and just wish I'd have spoken to somebody sooner! What do you think is likely to happen? I'm going to explain all of the above to UC and just be honest, that I didn't know and have been very stupid. Obviously other than paying it back, will they send me to prison? Am I going to be taken off of UC? 😩

If it's under £1000 per year, you don't have to declare it to HMRC.

OP really, don't worry. You won't be going to prison and won't be taken off UC. Just explain, nothing more will come of it.

The review was requested 28th April, I sent all relevant bank statements on the same day and also sent a picture holding my passport that was requested. Partner was asked to do the same thing. But we've had no response as of yet

Thank you for your positivity, I'm just so nervous. I've never been in a single bit of trouble in my life and if I had known then what I know now I'd have declared this "income" instantly or declined it from the family friend altogether 😩

@Mumof3gome did they not give you a phone call before requesting your ID and bank statements? This is something they should have done because you're a carer and have a disabled child.

This is my job. Believe me when I say there are people who have regular deposits of much higher amounts than you, and they don't get into trouble.

If you have a disability, health condition or have children
You can earn a certain amount before your Universal Credit starts to be reduced if you or your partner are either:

• responsible for a child or young person
• living with a disability or health condition that affects your ability to work

This amount is called a ‘work allowance’. Working out your work allowance How much you can earn before your Universal Credit payment is reduced depends on whether you get help with housing. You can earn up to £411 a month before your payment starts to reduce if either:

• you get help with housing costs through Universal Credit
• you live in temporary accommodation arranged by your council because you’re homeless

If neither of these circumstances apply to you, you can earn up to £684 a month before your payment starts to reduce.

I really do appreciate you taking the time to give me advice, you have made me feel a bit better. The family friend has said he will write a letter or send an email to whoever he needs to to explain. Is that worth doing? Or am I best off just waiting for a response from UC and explaining once I get the call? Do you know why it could be taking so long for them to respond or book a call? It's been nearly a month and haven't heard anything back from the day I sent the review documents they requested. Thank you

It's perfectly fine for friends/ family to gift money so I think I would say that this is what it is. He doesn't employ you to care for him.

I think my partner's earnings take up the work allowance already 😔

It would impact on her UC as her partner is working so presumably over the work allowance limit already ?

@Mumof3gome It's possible they're just really busy. We usually have between 40 - 50 claims to be reviewing at the same time. I would leave journal message explaining about the payments. If they don't get back to you (they should), then at some point you'll get a phone interview booked where they'll ask you about it. Just explain and be completely honest when they ask. The phone interviews are also a standard part of the review, everyone has them.

was the request from compliance op?

No they just sent a journal message saying
We are reviewing your Universal Credit claim to make sure your payments are correct.

As part of the review, you need to send us information to confirm your details.

To send us your information, we are creating to-dos for you to complete.

Each to-do explains what you need to upload and why. If you have questions, send us a journal message.

The to-dos must be completed by 12 May 2025 or your Universal Credit payments may be affected.

These to-dos are called:

Claim Review: provide bank statements.
Claim Review: upload document.

Each to-do includes instructions and a due date

Not compliance, just says "Joseph, universal credit claim review" then the place

That’s a good sign!

Yeah, we're over the work allowance already because of my partner's full time job

What do you think will be next? Once I've explained everything - what more will they want or need from me? Thank you for your help

Do you not think it would be a little unbelievable that somebody would gift me money every week? 😔I don't think I could lie, I would be even more scared of them finding out the truth and then getting into more trouble. I think I'm just going to have to explain the truth and admit my error and pay it back!

£30-60 a week is more than £1000 per year