How many months bank statements for Benefits Claim?

Avery_of_the_Shire

Hi there,
Does anyone know how many months bank statements we have to show the DWP for a Benefits Claim pls?

I remember back in the day, it used to be about 3 months, I think.

I wanted to search for this subject within this "Benefits" section of the forum before posting, but I couldn't see an advanced search option.
My searches didn't find a recent post related to benefits, just other things like mortgage applications etc

Anyway, perhaps I'm just losing myeyesight

Thanks

NedS

What benefit are you claiming or thinking of claiming?

Normally, bank statements are not required (unless you are using these as a proof of ID and/or address). You may be required to provide information on previous earnings and savings, depending on which benefit you are applying for, but are not normally required to provide evidence to support that unless you have savings over the allowed threshold, then you may be asked to provide evidence by way of statements. Self employed and business owners may also be required to provide evidence of accounts.

DWP have automated digital checks in place that will flag up fraud and most claimants would only be asked to provide evidence if fraud is suspected.

Avery_of_the_Shire

NedS said:

What benefit are you claiming or thinking of claiming?

Thanks for posting.
According to the benefits calculator I am only eligable for New-style ESA.

I have a job but employer has reduced my pay to half because I am off work due to illness. Currently working 0 hours.

I am concerned about having savings slightly higher than the threshold.

NedS

Avery_of_the_Shire said:

NedS said:

What benefit are you claiming or thinking of claiming?

Thanks for posting.
According to the benefits calculator I am only eligable for New-style ESA.

I have a job but employer has reduced my pay to half because I am off work due to illness. Currently working 0 hours.

I am concerned about having savings slightly higher than the threshold.

New-style ESA is a contributory benefit and is not means tested, so any savings you have are not relevant. Entitlement to a contributory benefit such as New-style ESA is dependent upon how much NI contributions you have paid in the last two qualifying tax years.
I'm sure other more knowledgeable posters will chip in with other relevant information about claiming New-style ESA.

4justice2

"New style ESA" is a contribution based benefit,  not means tested. Savings aren't taken into account.

Avery_of_the_Shire

I noticed in the "entitled to" calculator that declaring full savings will give me £16 less money per week.

It says that the DWP will assume I'm earning £16 a week from my savings by default, even though this is not the case.

calcotti

Avery_of_the_Shire said:

I noticed in the "entitled to" calculator that declaring full savings will give me £16 less money per week.

It says that the DWP will assume I'm earning £16 a week from my savings by default, even though this is not the case.

But that doesn't affect new style ESA because it isn't means tested.

More importantly, if you are in period of SSP you are not entitled to ns-ESA. When did you last work?

Avery_of_the_Shire

I think my SSP expired on 26 April.

Last worked back in mid-October '21

calcotti

Avery_of_the_Shire said:

I think my SSP expired on 26 April.

In that case you should apply for new style ESA backdated to 27th April. You need to apply by 26th July in order to be able to backdate to that date. You need Fit Note and form SSP1 which your employer should have given you to confirm the date SSP ended.

Your occupational sick pay will not affect your new style ESA entitlement, nor will any savings.

Avery_of_the_Shire

calcotti said:

Avery_of_the_Shire said:

I think my SSP expired on 26 April.

In that case you should apply for new style ESA backdated to 27th April. You need to apply by 26th July in order to be able to backdate to that date. You need Fit Note and form SSP1 which your employer should have given you to confirm the date SSP ended.

Your occupational sick pay will not affect your new style ESA entitlement, nor will any savings.

Thank you