do you report competition wins to dwp?

supersaverkerry

I know if you are on a means tested benefit and you win money you have to inform the dwp, but I was wondering if you were to win something like a lapop, holiday or gift vouchers do you need to inform them?

I havent personally been lucky enough to win anything yet ( though I do try! ) but my friend called me today excited saying she won a competition for £1,000 of John Lewis vouchers from a competition she entered and she is on income support as a single parent and she doesnt know if she has to tell dwp about her win, will they count it as some sort of savings even though it is vouchers not cash?

Thanks is advance.

lilac_lady

I'm sure everyone informs the DWP if they win anything. Maybe your friend could send them a letter detailing all the competitions she enters - just in case she wins.

von

Unless it takes her capital over £6000.00 it won't affect her Income Support.

ramsas

She has to inform them of NOTHING!!! unless it takes her over the savings limit of £6000.Is this a genuine request for info for your friend or does the green eyed monster come into play here?.

supersaverkerry

von wrote: »

Unless it takes her capital over £6000.00 it won't affect her Income Support.

Thanks, I thought there was a amount you are allowed to have before they needed to know, but I didnt want to say that to her and then be wrong and she end up in trouble.

supersaverkerry

lilac_lady wrote: »

I'm sure everyone informs the DWP if they win anything. Maybe your friend could send them a letter detailing all the competitions she enters - just in case she wins.

I dont think it is really necessary for you to be sarcastic is it? Its a genuine question, do you have to inform them if you actually WIN something, not do you have to tell them all the competitions you enter. I dont see what is so wrong with her trying to make sure she doesnt get into trouble for not declaring something she should have declared.

supersaverkerry

ramsas wrote: »

She has to inform them of NOTHING!!! unless it takes her over the savings limit of £6000.Is this a genuine request for info for your friend or does the green eyed monster come into play here?.

Yes the request for info is genuine, she asked and I couldnt give her a definite answer. she is my FRIEND there is no jelousy I am pleased for her just as I am sure she would be for me if I won a competition. If I were jelous I certainly wouldnt be seeking out information to help her. jeez people can be so cynical on this forum!

dave030445

i won a bottle of wine at my kids school summer fair should i have told the dwp of this :rotfl::rotfl:

neil4152

I was under the impression there would be a difference between earnings and winnings, may be worth looking into as you couldnt honestly say you make a living at entering comps, food for thought though.

supersaverkerry

dave030445 wrote: »

i won a bottle of wine at my kids school summer fair should i have told the dwp of this :rotfl::rotfl:

I really do not see why people feel the need to make fun of my question, all Im trying to do is help my friend, is it really so ridiculous that a person might question whether to tell the dwp that they have won a large prize? There is a big difference between a bottle of wine and a prize worth £1,000 !

People are always going on about benefit cheats yet when someone
wants to make sure they are doing the right thing people ridicule them. :mad:

supersaverkerry

neil4152 wrote: »

I was under the impression there would be a difference between earnings and winnings, may be worth looking into as you couldnt honestly say you make a living at entering comps, food for thought though.

yes thats why i couldnt give her an answer when she asked me because as you say she has not earned the money, it isnt like she is working, she still meets all the criteria for her is payments, but she was worried that they would class it as some sort of income/savings.

i was thinking because its vouchers not cash anyway that maybe it wouldnt count towards any savings she has anyway, but if it were a cash prize ( that added to any saving you already have means you have over £6,000 ) then I guess it proberly would count?