Acceptable use of savings when on income support.

Jussi23

I am on income support for health reasons and last Autumn I received some money from my late mother's estate (she died several years ago but the solicitor had just found the policy). Anyway, I told the DWP about it as it took my savings to just over the £6,000 and they have been deducting £6 a week ever since from my income support. My question is, what is an acceptable way of using the money? I have had some plumbing repairs done and have also bought several household items, ranging from a vacuum cleaner to towels. Every month I pay two bills (home insurance and net connection) by direct debit and till getting the money last year, I had to be sure that I was putting enough in the bank each month to cover these two bills. When I got the money, I decided to use some of my savings to pay these bills instead, as the money was there, so why not use it for what I need? Up to now about £250 to £300 has gone on them. (I've just started putting money in again for them.) What I need to know is, have I done something wrong by using my savings on these bills? Will the DWP see it as delibrate deprivation of capital or something?

Robbie64

not for the amounts you've spent. Expenditure has to be reasonable and the your expenditure seems OK to me. Keep any receipts as the DWP may want to see these and if your capital has reduced then inform the DWP as the amount they assume as income from your savings (which if you are under 60 is £1 for every £250 or part of £250 over £6,000) will or should reduce.