Redundancy and Benefits

peppermint_paddy

Hi everyone

I am a newbie so hope I'm on the right board....
This is my predicament - I am going to be made redundant and will receive the princely sum of £30k... lots of dosh so that's good.

BUT I have large debts run up with family you have bailed me out over the past few years (problems with CSA - dont ask!) I have read that if I receive over £16K I won't be entitled to any benefit... fair enough as I have more than enough to live off for a couple of years if I can't find another job. BUT I can't see any other way I would ever get to pay my family back the money they've loaned to me. I also can't see me getting a new job in any short time as have been looking for a while and not even a sniff.

QUESTION - will I be entitled to job seekers allowance if I pay my family back? (My debt to them in actually a little bit over £30k)... Or will benefits office see that I've paid family and consider this money is part of my severance package and as I've paid my debts that's my choice and tough luck?

I suppose what I'm asking is should I hold onto my 30K or pay my family?

Grateful for your postings ..... PP

sharonr

Hi there. This might be stating the obvious, but as no-one is coming up with anything, it might be worth trying the Citizens Advice Beareau.