UC Confusing rules?

Genesis1

So, we are on a joint claim. My partner is disabled and I am her full time carer. Like most, you try and save a little for those unexpected things like Washing machine failure expenses etc. However when you read the criteria of UC it states you have to let them know any changes in savings so they can adjust your money. Some say its only when you go over £6000 threshold for the assessment period that month. Others say any increase you have to tell them. Like say for instance, you saved an extra £100 one month to put aside for a repair. Would you need to tell them you have an extra £100 increase in savings that month? Or is it only if it makes your savings go over the £6000 threshold that month? No one seems to know? I've asked people on different sites and all the answers are conflicting. Its not even clear on the UC site!

tacpot12

It should be clear. You need to tell them when your savings change and the change takes you above £6000, OR if you are already above £6000 and you add anything to your savings.  

So if you have £5950 in savings and you add £100, you need to tell them because you have gone above £6000.
If you have £6010 and have already told them that you have this much isn savings, then you need to tell them if you add anything to your savings. 

operationhelpless

Think about your assessment period  

It's what your capital is at the end of an assessment period. 

When income becomes capital H1050 Income becomes capital if it has not been spent by the end of the assessment period after the one in which it was received.

Example Pearl makes a claim for UC on 6 February. She declares savings in a bank account of £5,973.00. On 24 February, her earnings of £250.00 are paid into that account. Her assessment period is calculated as 6 Feb to 5 March and the earnings are taken into account as part of her income for that assessment period. When the next assessment period begins on 6 March, Pearl still has some of the unspent earnings so the bank account balance is now £6,105.00. In the assessment period from 6 March to 5 April she will therefore be treated as having an assumed yield from that capital of £4

Robbie64

The way it's worded, it sounds as if you're supposed to tell UC what your savings are every month if they change from the previous month. In reality, if everyone did that, the system woud grind to a halt. As above, only tell them if what you have in the bank would affect the amount of UC you get (ie if your capital is above £6,000).

Genesis1

Our declared savings already reduces our UC claim by the appropriate amount each month. So if I understand correctly. After all our main bills have been payed, or most as some are taken after UC assessment period (Makes it confusing) we then add up our savings minus PIP which she receives to check if there is any increase or decrease in capital we have to declare it yes? btw we have no other income except UC.

Genesis1

I've just contacted Citizens advice and they confirm, if you save anything extra each month you have to let UC know and declare it.

tacpot12

Robbie64 said:

The way it's worded, it sounds as if you're supposed to tell UC what your savings are every month if they change from the previous month. In reality, if everyone did that, the system woud grind to a halt. As above, only tell them if what you have in the bank would affect the amount of UC you get (ie if your capital is above £6,000).

Everyone is supposed to do this; you agreed to do so when claiming UC. If you don't, how does the DWP know how to calculate you notional income at the end of your assessment period? 

Robbie64

tacpot12 said:

Robbie64 said:

The way it's worded, it sounds as if you're supposed to tell UC what your savings are every month if they change from the previous month. In reality, if everyone did that, the system woud grind to a halt. As above, only tell them if what you have in the bank would affect the amount of UC you get (ie if your capital is above £6,000).

Everyone is supposed to do this; you agreed to do so when claiming UC. If you don't, how does the DWP know how to calculate you notional income at the end of your assessment period? 

I meant, from the way it's worded, that you're supposed to tell UC what savings are each month even if savings are below £6,000. I did write at the end of what you've quoted that you have to inform the DWP if capital is above £6,000.