Deprevation of capital question.

feelinggood_2

fluffymovie wrote: »

Have to say that it now sounds like it could be considered deprivation as they are now discussing spending their savings following a letter saying that they need to pay full Council tax.

Might not be as straightforward as it first seemed.

I've recommended they phone the CAB for advice. I felt a bit bad sticking my nose in, but the more I find out, it does seem to be deprivation of capital so I had to warn them. Seems it is the 'done thing' in their area!

ruggles42

As it is Council Tax Benefit that have contacted them due to them having over £16000 savings then they must not be receiving Pension Credit Guarantee as receipt of PCG guarantees maximum Council Tax Benefit regardless of capital held.
As regards the deprivation it may well be that the money can be disregarded, there are a number of reasons why money can be disregarded and home improvements for over 60's is one of them, this is off the top of my head but certainly worth checking.
It also highly unlikely that spending the money and providing the receipts for the work completed would not satisfy the Benefits Office and personally, as a Benefit Officer, I would accept the deprivation as reasonable.

anmarj

ruggles42 wrote: »

receipt of PCG guarantees maximum Council Tax Benefit regardless of capital held.

only if an AIP was set. If they are both under 65 then the capital woul be taken off as tarriff income as no AIP exists. And from what the benefits that has been quoted - IB and carers - then must be under 65.