Single mum left ‘distressed’ after DWP scrutinizes her bank account

Big Issue understands that prior to collection of debts, safeguards will be put in place to take into account availability and vulnerability, and numerous attempts will be made to contact the claimant to agree a repayment plan.

Berman’s situation is unrelated to the bill, but it points to the emotional trauma already being felt by benefit claimants whose financial histories are under investigation—even before additional oversight powers are put in place.

Berman makes it clear she has “nothing to hide” and says she has never committed a crime. fraudbut it came under scrutiny because its online banking system showed different payment dates to those expected by the DWP.

She was repeatedly asked for bank statements for certain dates and tried to provide them, but on some of those dates she did not make any transactions, so they did not show up in her account.

Berman didn’t have access to a computer at home, so she had to do it all on her phone, which added to her stress. She entered Job center and submitted her claims with a work coach who recognized the difficulties she was facing – and Berman believed they had been resolved as a result, but she still received more messages from the DWP asking for information she was unable to provide.

“I feel like I’m being penalized because my bank doesn’t use dates that match your system and the lack of technology makes it difficult for me to upload documents easily,” she wrote in her universal credit log, which she shared with Big Issue.

“I made an effort to fulfill my obligations by contacting the Job Center. I would appreciate it if this could be considered because the lack of money in January would be appalling.”

Berman works as a teacher, so her salary fluctuates every month, as does her Universal Credit. She says teacher educators are in high demand in her region of Dumfries and Galloway in Scotland so it is an important role, but she claims the DWP is struggling to understand this and it is adding to the confusion over how many universal points it has should get it.

Universal Credit is a lifeline when she gets less work. She had just £2 left on her £200 overdraft last month and would have struggled to feed herself and her daughter without Universal Credit. She is a single mother “not by choice,” but due to life circumstances, and she has to work part-time to look after her daughter. Child care it’s too expensive.

During the Christmas break last year, Berman received a call from the DWP. She claims the officer checked “all expenses over £100 between May and October”.

“It was absolutely humiliating,” Berman says. “She said I spent £100 in May. It was my daughter’s birthday. I felt so embarrassed. It’s like I’m not allowed to spend money on universal credit. I’m a reasonable person and wanted to make sure I had enough money to buy things for the party.

“It’s like being kicked in the teeth for trying to take responsibility. I don’t think anyone would believe me if I told them that someone had been going through my panty drawer, literally picking at everything I spent money on. I couldn’t believe it.”

Following this phone call she continued to be contacted by the DWP. In her Universal Credit Journal in January, she wrote: “Both you and I have spent hours trying to resolve an intractable situation. As you say, you demanded endless communication from me. I can’t give you more information. Nothing is hidden. I have a low income. I go all day long without spending any money.

“Tomorrow me and my baby will have less than £100 to get us through until the 15th because I am reliant on Universal Credit. On the 4th I was informed that I would not receive any money, which was very traumatic. I have done everything you asked and cannot be held responsible for problems with universal credit system it doesn’t allow you to live in real life.”

By the end of January, the DWP confirmed that its review was complete and there would be no change to her Universal Credit, but by this point Berman was facing four months of worry.

The DWP declined to comment, but the Big Issue understands officials investigated Berman’s case and concluded it was resolved without any impact on her universal credit award and she was provided with information to make a complaint.

But for Berman, that doesn’t make the challenges she faces any easier. “I was so shocked,” she recalls. “It’s terrible and I wanted to tell people about it. I’ve learned the hard way that if you’ve always had a salary, you have no idea this is happening. You don’t realize that people on universal credit are being degraded in this way.”

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