Incapacity/Housing benefit income questions...

MEsteve

Hi all,

just stumbled across this forum whilst looking for some info - everyone seems helpful so I thought I'd ask!

Im 27 and have a medical condition called ME/CFS. Im on incapacity benefit and get housing benefit also. The reason why Im posting is because Im worried about some extra money I get in - and that someone might check my account and cancel my benefit. My father gives me a couple of hundred quid a month to help with bills and treatments. I also am a musician and buy and sell bits of equiptment now and then - so I have that money coming in and out of my account. Thats maybe once every 2 months but can be £500 or more...

What is the policy on recieveing gifts from family etc?
What is the policy on selling assets?

If they did query the sales - which would show as cash/cheque/paypal payemtns - most of them are private so it wouldnt be that easy to prove...how do they conduct these checks?

Its time for me to get to the bottom of this as its caused me to worry which isnt good for me...I cant seem to find this more specific 'rules' of the benefits...

Thanks

Steve

TOBRUK

Hi MEsteve,

I am also an ME sufferrer so I understand how it affects you, I don't know how bad you have it but you could apply for DLA. I receive DLA and besides ME I do have another disability.

I can't answer your questions about your income situation but I'm sure someone will come along with good advice. One thing I can tell you is that they check your income etc by writing to you and ask for your bank statements of every account you have - savings, assets,etc from a certain date. They will query those cheques/payments made to you. I may be wrong but you could find yourself in a bit of trouble as you may have to declare these payments.

Hope this helps.

seven-day-weekend

Hi Steve

Your Incapacity Benefit is not means-tested (unless you have an Occupational Pension of over £85 a week) so any income from your father will not affect that.

It will be classed as income for Housing Benefit purposes however and should be declared. There are checks made every so often for Housing Benefit when they will want to see your Bank Statements so it is not easy to hide it (nor would it be advised on this forum).

Maybe if your father cooked you meals instead or bought any products you might need for your condition this would be acceptable(if it's not then someone will correct me).

Not sure about your buying and selling, which could be classed as a business. You are allowed to do Permitted Work when you are on IB, but it must fulfull certain conditions, see the link below:

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/DisabledPeople/FinancialSupport/DG_10020667

Hope this helps.