Universal Credit Phone Call Worry

HillStreetBlues

huckster said:

DWP have recruited a large number of checking agents who are employed to ensure that the benefit claims are based on accurate information.  And following the call, you may be asked to provide copies of Bank statements etc.

They have and AFAIK that is a review team which is more of a fishing expedition. A compliance is they believe that they have information that might be relevant.

Robbie64

Regarding the "not providing care" comment, just a couple of questions:

1. Does your father live alone

2. Does he claim Pension Credit (especially has he just claimed it)?

Could he have claimed Pension Credit and stated that either you don't provide care for him or don't care for him for at least 35 hours? If all of the above applied he may be entitled to an additional amount of pension credit although this would mean your Carer's Allowance / Carer's Element would have to cease being paid.

The capital part is a puzzle though. If you don't have any savings I can't think of how they would think you have.

born_again

Robbie64 said:

The capital part is a puzzle though. If you don't have any savings I can't think of how they would think you have.

Pay Pal account, Premium Bonds. ?

superM

What's PayPal account to do with Savings? 

peteuk

superM said:

What's PayPal account to do with Savings? 

You can hold monies in a Paypal account, usually from payments in from others.  But in theory you can set up two emails and pay yourself into the PayPal account and then not transfer it out.   Any money that you can access counts towards the capital held by a claimant. 

Newcad

superM said:

What's PayPal account to do with Savings? 

You can transfer money into a PayPay account so that it's there to spend at anytime, you can do the same with an Amazon account, and some other shopping accounts.

That's still money that you have that you have not spent so it all counts as savings.

Jyana

You can also hold cryptocurrency on PayPal. I understand trading is currently on hold while they sort out regulations, but if you bought any before it went on hold, you are allowed to keep it saved in your account I believe. 

Muttleythefrog

peteuk said:

superM said:

What's PayPal account to do with Savings? 

You can hold monies in a Paypal account, usually from payments in from others.  But in theory you can set up two emails and pay yourself into the PayPal account and then not transfer it out.   Any money that you can access counts towards the capital held by a claimant. 

You can just add to your paypal balance from your bank account (or your other sources) directly too.. no need for multiple accounts

born_again

superM said:

What's PayPal account to do with Savings? 

As above posts, but can also indicate earnings if you are selling items.

Bigwheels1111

My friend gets ESA support group.
This means that they do not need to search for work etc.
Or deal with the job centre at all.
A few years back they go a letter to come in out of the blue.
Checked with ESA, any issues etc they said no.
Finally got in contact with person from job centre assigned to case.
Asked do you have disabled parking, wheelchair ramps, disabled toilets etc.
Reply was we can do a phone call.
Took call on one phone via speaker phone and recorded with another.
( trust nobody).
Was a fishing expedition, I’m her carer, not partner etc.
Why was I her carer, how long had I known her.
Had I claimed ESA and a few other things.
That was that, all done and finished.
Not heard from them in 5.4 year.