How far back do DWP look at bank statements for UC application?

Hi

My son is now getting credits only New Style ESA and has been put on the LCWRA group. I am now ready to progress to applying for UC on his behalf.

My question is: how long do DWP look at bank statements for UC?

My son got seriously ill at 17 when he was at school and had to leave soon after. He has only recently run his own bank account as he runs a very small online business which we help him with. However, we did open a savings account for him as a child where we put funds in to save up for when he'd go to university which turned into his own account when he turned 18.

He never made it to uni due to illness, and we had to spend all the money (over the UC capital limit) on various medical related/therapy/desperate attempts to get him better over the last 3 years (to no avail).

His current account now reflects his more usual financial status and even with PIP he is under the 6000 capital limit as he obviously has personal expenses though we pay for most things still as his parents (he's now 20).

Do I try to explain to DWP that we had to spend the 'university' money but it will show up in the last 3 year bank statements? Or do I just wait 6 months before applying and send in his more representative account balance showing what he has now.


Thanks for any help - much appreciated as always.

Hi David
Okay - thanks for that.
Will keep you updated.
Thanks again.