Can Jobcentre demand to see my accounts?

Dariel_Newton

Hi All,

I've been struggling along as Self employed for around 2 years and claiming Working Tax Credits. Sadly, income has dropped right down and I've been forced to sign back onto JSA.
I'll still be declaring a small income, but hopefully not for too long if I find extra work and my own business improves.
All went well at the jobcentre initially, they seemed to understand my circumstances. BUT, I had a call today demanding that I bring my last years accounts into the jobcentre!
Is this normal? Do they have the right to do that?

xcakex

Im assuming they are seeking your tax return from self assessment, which yes would be normal to view your figures

paragon909

Dariel_Newton wrote: »

Hi All,

I've been struggling along as Self employed for around 2 years and claiming Working Tax Credits. Sadly, income has dropped right down and I've been forced to sign back onto JSA.
I'll still be declaring a small income, but hopefully not for too long if I find extra work and my own business improves.
All went well at the jobcentre initially, they seemed to understand my circumstances. BUT, I had a call today demanding that I bring my last years accounts into the jobcentre!
Is this normal? Do they have the right to do that?

They have every right to check all your bank accounts, They also are able to check if you have a bank account and don't tell them to avoid it getting checked.

If you don't show them the accounts, They will just sanction you until you provide them, I had to do this. Go to the bank and asks them to print them out and get them to stamp them, Or phone bank and get them to send out official pages....

Topcat1982

paragon909 wrote: »

They have every right to check all your bank accounts, They also are able to check if you have a bank account and don't tell them to avoid it getting checked.

..

Sounds like they want to see the accounts of his business not bank accounts. Although they could ask to see them as well.

Yes you have to show them

TELLIT01

As you've been S/E for a couple of years they will want to see the Profit & Loss figures. There is an expectation that self employed will put money aside for the lean times. That obviously only applies if the business has been profitable.

Dariel_Newton

@ TELIT01

Right, it's starting to make sense now.............
Chance would be a fine thing to have made enough to put anything aside! But good to understand their intentions. Thank you

dippy3103

Dariel,
It's just part of the process of verifying your claim. As you have been s/e a while I assume you will only get Income Based JSA & as such they need to verify your capital & also why you stopped trading.
I hope things improve for you soon

Bollotom

My wife came off Contribution JSA and went to Income JSA. She had to show my bank accounts as well as her own. I guess it's just a natural thing to avoid fraudulent claiming :cool:

TELLIT01

Bollotom wrote: »

My wife came off Contribution JSA and went to Income JSA. She had to show my bank accounts as well as her own. I guess it's just a natural thing to avoid fraudulent claiming :cool:

Income related benefits are based on the income / assets of both parties so requiring partner savings information is normal.

HappyMJ

Bollotom wrote: »

My wife came off Contribution JSA and went to Income JSA. She had to show my bank accounts as well as her own. I guess it's just a natural thing to avoid fraudulent claiming :cool:

An income based JSA claim is a joint claim so they need to see both persons bank accounts. If you had an income or had over £16,000 of cash in the bank they'd expect you to use that money to support your wife. Your wife would still get credits of National Insurance for signing on each fortnight.

slink85

paragon909 wrote: »

They have every right to check all your bank accounts, They also are able to check if you have a bank account and don't tell them to avoid it getting checked.

If you don't show them the accounts, They will just sanction you until you provide them, I had to do this. Go to the bank and asks them to print them out and get them to stamp them, Or phone bank and get them to send out official pages....

yeah, they don't. they may ask, but you don't have to provide them, but they will delay your claim or wont process it until such evidence is provided.

but they have no 'right' to see your accounts without a court order.