Can I have savings while drawing DLA?

jailhouse_2

I am totally confused. Since my original post about savings i used all my spare money to supplement my incap. Now my situation medically has changed (for the worse) and i have been put on DLA high rate with an element of Incap (thanks to my Dr and Specialist).

Now my question is after reading the paperwork i have had come through, if the money in my account builds up at any time (especially now i am less mobile) to a few hundred pounds is this classed as savings?

Reading the DLA paperwork you can have savings below £8000 i think and not have to declare it, but if you are on Incap you can't and must declare savings.

Can anyone give me a simple answer to this question please as i do not want "big brother" knocking my door in 12 months time saying i have claimed money fraudently, especially the way the Government seems to be handling the Tax Credits C**kup.

Many thanks
JH

healy

You can have unlimited savings when receiving DLA.

You can have unlimited savings when receiving Incapacity Benefit.

If you receive means tested benefits you can have up to £6000 in savings before your benefit is affected. Between £6000 and £16000 your benefit is reduced. Over £16000 you are not entitled to means tested benefits

Ted_Hutchinson

As has been said both DLA and IB are not means tested benefits so any build up of unspent benefits over £6000 will not affect these benefits.
However once the period for which those disability benefits were paid has passed unspent benefits do become capital/savings and do affect MEANS TESTED BENEFITS such as Income Support, Housing Benefit, Council Tax Benefit.
Savings rules
Savings rules are sometimes called capital rules. The following
limits apply:
• Upper limit (income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance and Income Support): £16,000
• Lower limit (income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance and Income Support): £6,000
• Upper limit (Housing Benefit (HB) and Council Tax Benefit (CTB)): £16,000
• Lower limit (HB and CTB): £6,000

For each £250 between the lower and upper limit you will lose £1 a week of means tested benefit. But neither DLA nor IB are means tested so they are immune from this.

jailhouse_2

To Healy and Ted,

a very big thank you for putting my mind at rest.

Ted, the links were extremely helpful and i have bookmarked them.

Thanks again,

a very relieved jh.