UC review (Again)

NedS

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82156374#Comment_82156374

Yes, I saw that online, which is what alerted me to my mistake.

Robbie64

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82155909#Comment_82155909

I did think there were contract workers as I could remember reading the news story you linked to but I couldn't recall the specifics. It's interesting that the DWP are ditching the contract, as posted by HSB. I wonder why that is happening?

Newcad

So, the (unsatisfactory) contracted out telephone jockeys / reviewers will still be the same people and will still be getting things wrong.

They are just being "inboarded" so they are employed and paid by the DWP directly instead of the DWP paying a third party to employ/pay them.

In other words the DWP are cutting out the middle man, it's a cost cutting excercise.

From Rightsnet: https://www.rightsnet.org.uk/now/post/72777

Throughout the duration of the contract frustrated members working for DWP on TCRs have told PCS that it wasn't working, that handovers from the private sector were not in good shape and created extra work for DWP staff. In the meantime, Teleperformance were able to reap the benefits of what was an initial £368 million contract presented to them in 2024.

tomxlisa

Spoke to the compliance officer today and as I’m still unwell and recently suffering a bereavement I’ve asked to push it forward again, he’s told me that it can’t be pushed forward any longer and that my payments will be suspended until I’ve had the phone call with him and provided bank statements, having looked online it does say that this shouldn’t be the case as being not well and suffering a recent bereavement is a good cause but I’ve told him that and he said it’s been pushed forward enough, admittedly he has rescheduled the call several times but I’m very sick right now and with the bereavement my head isn’t in the right place for the call at the moment, is there anything I can do to stop the payment getting suspended, he seems to think not even though what I’m going through as he says it’s been rescheduled enough times but surely there isn’t a limit on illness and getting over a recent loss?.

tomxlisa

Anyone give me some advice on this please?.

HillStreetBlues

i feel it's a tough position, the DWP think there might be some issue with your claim so want to investigate it. From their side they are continuing to pay you knowing this. There comes a point that they can't continue when they payment might not be correct.

Not sure even it would work but could you get a note from dr saying to are currently unfit to deal with it.

Muttleythefrog

My concern here is that the efforts to circumnavigate a fairly routine matter is creating you potentially more difficulty and distress than just dealing with it. There isn't anything you've mentioned that causes concern about your claim and so I would hope after quick investigation they'll find all correct.

I'm conscious you've said " im a massive worrier and suffer with mental health bad so now im just thinking ive done something wrong even though I haven’t just doubting myself on everything" as this is extremely familiar to me… I even struggle with shops because I'm convinced I'll be accused of shoplifting… something I know I haven't done. However my reaction is to aggressively deal with the issue causing the worry.. that included in past a DWP in person interview (more serious than anything here it appears) about undeclared capital that they accepted was based on wrong information they had… I gave them the entire output of transactions start to finish for the closed account they identified as holding a tidy fortune but never had more than around £3k in…. and I wonder if this strategy would also serve you best… face the requirement and get it off your shoulders… off your mind. They're not going to conduct a general knowledge quiz where you definitely won't know some answers… this is simply about your circumstances and statements… you're the expert… and they have a job to do.

tomxlisa

I’ve just looked on my journal online and it says (allegation of excess capital above UC thresholds) so I’m guessing someone has said I’ve got millions in the bank or something like that, I wish I had.

Muttleythefrog

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82171307#Comment_82171307

Even more reason to deal with this ASAP… you know what they're looking for to check an allegation and it won't exist… ultimately you can prove that…and in any call prior to statements you can perhaps just be ready to give them the maximum you've held in total capital in say the last year…that would be a very direct response….e.g 'In the last year the maximum capital I've held at any point was £4850 and that was across my bank account x and my savings account y… specify what statements you want to see (if they haven't already stated) and you will get'

HillStreetBlues

I agree with the above, now it's due to a possible capital issue they can't keep on paying you.
Have you got or had any ISAs? as can be (wrongly) flagged.