UC Review

Hi

I recently got a message (see below) telling me that my Universal Credit claim was to be reviewed. I was required to upload copies of identity documents, bank statements etc. I did this without thinking about it, because I have nothing to hide, but in the subsequent telephone interview the official asked me details of various payments - £25 to my sister for shopping, £50 to a tai-chi teacher for a class, etc.

On reflection, this seems deeply invasive. Is the DWP entitled to demand all this personal information?

I wasn't asked about my health. FWIW I have Parkinson's and am in the LCW group, after winning a tribunal appeal (with much help from Benefits & Work!). I am awaiting the outcome of the DWP's review.

Below I will try to paste the DWP's initial message.

Best wishes

Mark
________________

Hi Mark,

We are reviewing your Universal Credit claim to make sure your payments are correct.

As part of the review, we are creating to-dos for you to complete.

These to-dos must be completed by 15/05/2024 or your Universal Credit payments will be affected.

These to-dos are called:

Claim Review: provide bank statements.
Claim Review: upload document.

You will be asked to provide:

bank statements and an identity document

Each to-do includes instructions and a completion date.

If you do not complete these to-dos, then either:

• your payment could be stopped and then your claim might be closed
• part of your payment could be removed

We may also ask for more information and documents. You will receive a separate message about this.

Send us a journal message if you want to discuss the review or you need help with your to-dos.

Many thanks

Just to say I'm going through the exact same thing at the moment, and have the utmost solidarity for you. It sucks, and it's invasive, but they have the right unfortunately. Hopefully they leave us both alone for a good while now!