4 Month Bank Statement request from DWP - Do I have to provide these ?

Hi,

D.W.P have requested that I send 4 months worth of bank statements, by the 14th Feb (this Friday). Is this a legal requirement ? I know that there are petitions, which I have signed and emails sent to the MP's. How far along are we with this process ?

Also can I ask does anyone know why they may be are asking for the 4 months statements?

In December I sold items on VINTED, which brought in a sum of £1400 (it was clothes, shoes and cosmetics that I no longer wanted). Could this be why they are asking for statements? Has A.I. flagged it up?

I also had to ask for an 'advance' payment in December, of £300. Could this also be a reason ? To see if I'm not receiving enough to live ?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance.

Laura

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!

Hi

Thank you for your detailed response and providing me with some insight. I find this all so stressful.

Thank you, again.

Laura

Hi Laura
I to was asked to provide 6 months worth off bank statements and I also sold items on Vinted but not to that amount, it all went find and there was no change to my benefits. They also asked for pictures off me at my address with my door open and keys in my hand and copies of my electric bill and how it was paid. It might be to do with all the fraud that going on with benefits.
I hope this helps
Ms Jay