ESA savings review

Hi
Your bank details and spending habits are confidential. How you choose to spend your money is entirely up to you even if you spend £1000 on cheese that's your business.
You only have to show that you do not have savings over a certain amount, and the bank can provide a statement for you to send off. If you need to send a statement for 1 year then use a permanent marker and cross off all non relevant information (Tesco shopping, macdonalds burger, Amazon purchases etc) but leave the £figure (say £21, £6, £123). If its money from earnings, benefits or gifts from friends then leave it on the statement. It's the income not the outgoings that are relevant to check for fraud etc. Remember your spending habits like your health conditions are confidential and its your money (even though DWP think its theirs)

wrote:

Hi phrank

You need to treat yourself every now and again to keep under the £6k limit.

Gary

Hi Gary,

Well, I'll have to have a good think about that. I don't honestly really need anything at present, not essentials or replacements that is.

A bloody good break away from these four walls would be a treat if only for a few days.

Can I really justify doing that?

I'd have to have my helper/carer/best friend with me and they definitely deserve a treat after putting up with through all this

Just a thought,

Regards

Phrank.

Update:

After 2 phone calls I have found out that at the very beginning of my ESA claim (when it was changed from Incapacity) I was for a brief time, on an Income-Related claim for some reason - a mistake on their end I suppose.

Because of that, they wanted to keep tabs on my spending in case I was ever eligible again.

After speaking with someone from the department who actually sent the letter, they advised due to my living circumstances and savings, I would be best to opt out of the Income-related part and will no longer be asked for statements. I have to do so in writing.

Hope this helps anyone else who finds themselves contacted unexpectedly.

Hi Phrank, please note I'm no authority, but what you hear on Radio 4 about poverty says not-being-in- poverty incudes affording a moderate holiday every year.....as with all these situations get and keep receipts for everything you can. Another thing some people do which I believe DWP may not argue, is put money in a funeral plan [or savings account specifically dedicated to that purpose?]. Only thing is beware as some plans are not very good value.
Best wishes, Denby