Benefits, Tax Credits and Inheriting Property Abroad

kittykat13_2

Hi, I'm new to this forum, and I was wondering where my friend can get financial & benefits advice, it's a bit complicated!

-She has dual nationality, born in the UK raised in europe
(living here for more than 7 years now)
-She has had a relationship breakdown & then she lost her job
-She has no income

She could claim benefits & tax credits, but the complicated part results from the fact she inherited half of her Grandfather's estate abroad. The inheritance comprises 3 houses in europe, though she cannot sell the homes as they are lived in by her family, and she does not recieve any money from them. She is also estranged from her family which makes things even more complicated! so she doesn't even know if her name is on the property deeds etc. She was left her grandad's share in a will. She isn't involved with the properties, but is worried that they are assets that could affect means tested benefits etc. so she hasn't claimed anything.

My question is: How does this tie to property abroad affect her entitlement to benefits or tax credits? or other means tested things like legal aid?! (which she needs to help with legal advice since her relationship breakdown, as she has a young child too)

Currently she has no money, and can't pay her rent, it's a really awkward situation, and I feel if her finances can be sorted out things would be easier for her. I would value your advice please, as I don't know much about this sort of thing or where to look.

Thanks in advance

Murgatroyd21

Others will give more insight into other benefits, but for tax credit entitlement she should claim immediately as a single parent with a child. If there's no income from the properties then there's nothing to concern tax credits, same with savings as it's only the interest over £300pa they're interested in.

kittykat13_2

Thanks Murgatroyd,

yes she gets no income from the property abroad, and she has no immediate rights to the family houses either, so I'll get her to apply for tax credits today. I hope she is entitled to benefits & legal support, I imagine that if she has no tax liability regarding the properties, then she might be eligible. She has no savings, and no disposable income or capital.

Still, I think she should inform benefits/legal aid, it might take longer for her claim to be sorted though, but if she can get income support she would get legal aid I hope. English is her 2nd language, so she is finding it very difficult & she is very vulnerable right now.