DWP Requests Bank Statements from Universal Credit Claimants
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is set to ask people on Universal Credit to hand over four months' worth of bank statements as part of a broader crackdown on welfare fraud. This move comes amid concerns over the ballooning welfare bill, with claimants sharing their experiences online.
Claimants Share Experiences Online
One Reddit user wrote: "At the beginning of the year (February), I received a request to upload bank statements for 4 months and housing documents. I then had a phone call sometime in March to discuss the documents. After that I didn't hear back regarding this at all. Now I have received a message saying 'we need to restart the claim review in order to review your current circumstances to ensure your payments are correct. Apologies for any inconvenience.' Has anyone had this happen to them before? What does this mean, did they not complete my previous review or is this a second review?"
DWP Entitled to Request Statements
A Benefits and Work disability web forum user shed light on the process, stating: "I'm afraid the DWP are entitled to ask for 4 months' bank statements. Four months is common. We have members who have been asked for 6 months and one person recently was asked for 7 years worth. The DWP requesting bank statements is not a new thing - they have been doing it for years. I can't tell you why it has been flagged up at this particular time. I'm afraid the DWP are the only ones who can tell you."
Labour's Crackdown on Fraud
Another forum user explained: "They are reviewing thousands of claims just now - it's all to do with Labour's crackdown on fraud. They have set up a new team in Polaris House in Swindon and taken on 600 new staff specifically to check claims - they now have 6000 staff altogether working full time checking claims. The main things they are looking for are undeclared capital and people who spend too much time out of the UK to maintain eligibility to claim. They are searching for capital 'hidden' in Paypal accounts, ISAs, old savings accounts, high current account balances. They aren't interested in what you spend your money on as such - but seem to be seeking out those who dispose of money (gifting it maybe) to keep under Capital limits. It's folks who have high capital that are being asked for years' worth of statements as the entire claim history needs checked. For most people, nothing to worry about. A quick phone appointment just asking about regular or high transactions and if you have money stashed anywhere. And then you'll get a note in your journal to say the review is complete all your payments remain unchanged. Just a standard review and everyone will get one pretty soon at the rate they're getting through them!"
Impact on Claimants
The DWP's request for bank statements has raised concerns among claimants, but officials emphasize that for most people, the review is straightforward and payments remain unchanged. The crackdown aims to reduce fraud and ensure benefits are paid correctly, with thousands of claims already under review.
