Universal Credit Review: What It Is and What to Expect

A Universal Credit review checks whether your claim details are correct and your payment is right.

It is also called a Universal Credit claim review or UC review. DWP can review your claim while you receive Universal Credit.

You will get a message in your online Journal if your claim is selected. You may need to provide documents and attend a phone appointment.

The review can result in no change, a higher payment or a lower payment.

What Is a Universal Credit Review?

A Universal Credit review is a check of your claim and circumstances.

DWP uses reviews to make sure you receive the right payment and support. Your circumstances may have changed since you made your claim.

This is different from a Universal Credit claimant commitment, which explains the work related activities and responsibilities you may need to follow.

The review may cover:

• Earnings or other income
• Housing costs
• Savings
• Self employment
• Childcare costs
• Children
• Student finance
• Caring responsibilities

DWP may find that you are being paid too much, entitled to more, or receiving the correct amount.

Why Is Universal Credit Reviewing My Claim?

DWP may review your claim to check that your information remains correct.

Your income, savings, housing or family circumstances can change. You should report relevant changes when they happen.

There is no single published reason that explains every review.

If DWP starts a review, follow the instructions in your Journal. Your claim review agent can explain what information they need.

What Triggers a Universal Credit Review?

DWP does not publish one fixed list of review triggers.

A review can happen during your claim. The purpose is to check your claim details and payment.

You should not assume that one particular change always causes a review.

If your claim is selected, DWP will tell you what information it needs.

Does Everyone Have a Universal Credit Review?

There is no fixed review schedule for every claimant.

DWP can review claims at different points. Some claims may also be reviewed more than once.

If you receive a review message, follow the instructions in your Journal.

What Happens During a Universal Credit Review?

A claim review normally starts with a message in your online Journal.

The review agent will tell you what they need. This can include documents and a phone appointment.

1. You receive a Journal message

Check your Universal Credit account when you receive the message.

Read the request carefully. Check your To Do List too.

Your Universal Credit Journal Guide explains how to manage messages and tasks in your account.

2. You provide the requested documents

DWP may ask for bank statements and other evidence.

The documents depend on your circumstances and the information under review.

3. A review agent checks your information

The agent checks your documents against your claim details.

They may ask for more information if something needs clarification.

4. You attend a phone appointment

You will be invited to discuss your claim by phone.

The questions depend on your circumstances and the information DWP needs to check.

5. DWP confirms the outcome

The review may find no change.

It may also show that you should receive more or less Universal Credit.

What Documents Does Universal Credit Ask For?

Your Journal message will explain what evidence DWP wants.

Bank statements are part of the current review process. You may also need documents about your circumstances.

The exact documents depend on your claim.

DWP says statements and documents supplied for a review must not be changed or edited.

If you are unsure about the format, ask your claim review agent through your Journal.

Why Is Universal Credit Asking for Bank Statements?

Bank statements show payments and transactions in your accounts.

During a review, DWP says this information helps the claim review agent understand whether your details are up to date.

This can help confirm information about income, savings and other financial circumstances.

Can Universal Credit Check Your Bank Account?

DWP has powers to obtain limited financial information from banks in defined circumstances.

However, DWP does not get direct access to your bank account through these powers.

Under the Eligibility Verification Measure, banks can be required to check certain accounts against specific eligibility indicators. They can then provide limited information to DWP.

Transaction information is excluded from the information banks can share through this measure. A human must also be involved in later decisions that affect benefit entitlement.

DWP says it is rolling the measure out gradually through a test and learn approach. Check GOV.UK for the current position.

This is separate from a review request where DWP asks you to provide bank statements.

Can Universal Credit Check Your Savings Account?

Savings can form part of a Universal Credit review.

DWP lists savings among the information that may need supporting documents.

You should report relevant changes to your savings and other capital when required.

How Far Back Can DWP Ask for Bank Statements?

There is no single period that applies to every Universal Credit review.

Your Journal message should tell you which statements DWP wants.

Some claimants may be asked for several months of statements. Online discussions often mention around four months, but this is not a universal DWP rule.

Follow the specific request on your claim.

What Happens in the Universal Credit Claim Review Phone Call?

The phone appointment lets the review agent discuss your claim with you.

The questions vary between claimants.

You may be asked about:

• Your identity
• Your income
• Your savings
• Your housing
• Your household circumstances
• Information shown in your documents

The length of the call can vary.

If you cannot attend, contact the claim review agent through your Journal as soon as possible. DWP says your payment can be stopped during the review if you do not attend the telephone appointment.

You can also ask the review agent questions about the appointment through your Journal.

What Questions Do They Ask in a Universal Credit Review?

There is no standard question list for every claim.

Questions depend on your circumstances and the information DWP needs to confirm.

The agent may ask you to explain your income, savings, housing costs or other claim details.

They may also ask about information shown in your documents.

Answer clearly and provide further evidence when requested.

How Long Does a Universal Credit Review Take?

There is no fixed review timeframe published by GOV.UK.

The length depends on the documents requested and whether DWP needs more information.

Some reviews may finish after the documents and phone appointment. Others may need further checks.

If you are waiting for an update, contact your claim review agent through your Journal.

Can a Universal Credit Review Stop Your Payment?

Yes, but only in specific circumstances during the review.

GOV.UK says your payment will only be stopped if:

• You do not provide the requested documents
• You do not attend the telephone appointment
• You are not eligible for Universal Credit

If you cannot provide a document or attend the call, contact your review agent as soon as possible.

Explain the problem through your Journal.

What Happens After a Universal Credit Review?

The review can have several outcomes.

Your payment may stay the same if DWP finds no change.

You may receive more Universal Credit if the review finds you were underpaid.

You may receive less if you were paid too much.

DWP says future payments can change. You may receive an extra payment for money you missed, or money may be taken from future payments.

If your payment changes, check your Universal Credit Statement for the information shown on your account.

You can challenge a decision if you disagree with the outcome.

What Should You Do If Universal Credit Is Reviewing Your Claim?

Use this checklist when your review starts:

1. Read the Journal message carefully.
2. Check your To Do List.
3. Gather the requested documents.
4. Send documents without editing them.
5. Check the deadline.
6. Prepare for the phone appointment.
7. Keep checking your Journal.
8. Ask the review agent if anything is unclear.
9. Report relevant changes to your circumstances.

Do not ignore a review request.

If you cannot complete a task, explain the problem through your Journal.

Can I Close My Universal Credit Claim While It Is Under Review?

If you want to close your claim, GOV.UK says you can leave a message in your Journal or select Request to close your claim from your account homepage. You can also contact the Universal Credit helpline.

If your claim is under review, tell your claim review agent what you plan to do.

Follow any instructions in your Journal before closing your claim.

If your circumstances have changed, report the change first. DWP may decide that you are no longer entitled and close the claim at the correct time.

Is a Universal Credit Review Normal?

A review is part of the Universal Credit claims process.

Claims can be reviewed during the claim, and some claims may be reviewed more than once.

A review can finish with no change to your payment. It can also result in more or less Universal Credit.

Receiving a review request does not tell you the outcome.

How to Spot a Universal Credit Review Scam

A genuine review will appear through your Universal Credit online account.

GOV.UK says Universal Credit will never text or email asking for your personal information or bank details.

Be careful with unexpected messages or calls asking for sensitive information.

If you are unsure:

• Sign in to your Universal Credit account directly.
• Check your Journal for a matching message.
• Do not share passwords or banking details.
• Ask your review agent to confirm the request through your Journal.

Frequently Asked Questions