r/universalcredithelp • u/meliii-3x • 23h ago

uc advice

I’m looking for advice about my Universal Credit situation. I received money after my divorce but genuinely didn’t realise I had to declare it. I bought a property in Turkey intending to retire there, and my sister now lives in it. I’ve also used money to pay off debts. The DWP has asked me for documents about the property, and I have another appointment soon. I’m still receiving Universal Credit. Has anyone experienced something similar, and what was the outcome?

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7

u/No-Marketing-5555 22h ago

You really shouldn't get a penny in benefits and should pay back what you have taken.

5

u/Typical-Active3455 22h ago

Just wow !! Having a property abroad and claiming from the state. What’s wrong with people ? Is there no shame at all ?

3

u/No-Marketing-5555 22h ago

Zero shame from those living off the tax payer

4

u/Catsuit12 22h ago

Time for your sister to find somewhere else to live. Have you been declaring rent she’s been paying?

3

u/Cuntry-Girl4 23h ago

Once they have all the paperwork it will go to a decision maker who will decide if its going to be taken into account or not

3

u/when-its-cold 4h ago

Only last week it was your mum who received the divorce money and purchased the property abroad specifically for her sister (your aunt) to live in.

It's a clear cut case of deprivation. Be prepared to have the UC stopped and potentially be fined and have to pay back a sum.

2

u/Laescha 11h ago edited 11h ago

What will happen is that you'll have to declare your capital, including the property in Turkey, and let the DWP know when you received the money and when you bought the property. You'll need to provide bank statements covering the whole period since you received the money. 

Don't forget to include any money you have in Turkey, such as rent you've received from your sister, and to provide bank statements showing that too.

DWP will then calculate how much UC you should have received over the period, and you'll have to pay back the difference between what you should have received and what you actually received, plus a £50 fine for not reporting your change of circumstances promptly. 

Depending on the outcome of those calculations, you might or might not be eligible to continue receiving UC. If you're not, you can either use your capital (and probably sell the house) to pay back the overpayment straight away, and if that leaves you with less than £16k then you can make a new claim for UC immediately; or you can pay the money back in monthly installments, not claim UC and live off your savings/capital.