Help! will I get in trouble for having more than £6,000 in my bank account?

Loopy_Girl

To be honest I feel a bit duped as I felt so so sorry for OP from their postings yesterday frantic with worry they wouldn't get ESA therefore 'have no money' and they didn't need 'the extra stress of that'.

I have to say I was thinking of the OP long long after I had switched off my PC.

*sigh* suppose I better go back to being the hard nosed b!tch then!!!!:rotfl::rotfl:

EJF - over £8000 doesn't equate to having 'no money' and should the ESA claim take some time to get sorted then at least you won't be strapped (but then I am even more confused as you say you can't spend money anyway) but the ESA will be backdated.

Should you wish to claim LHA/CT at this time (I know you say you are moving in with your parents but I'm not sure how imminent that is) then you will definitely need to declare your savings and it will most likely have some kind of deduction on the benefit rate.

Blobby8_2

tomitma wrote: »

I know of a couple, that are able to save over £1,000 a month, they both receive high rate DLA, high rate care allowance, and are both on higher rate mobility. They are only claiming what they are entitled to, after years of working, they have never been so well off financially in there lives, their only problem is, that they are both so ill, that they can not spend the money, they are both housebound, have to have 24 hour carers, and are in pain 24 hours a day. I know for a fact that they would give everything back to have their health. The money does'nt compensate. As the benefits they are claiming are not means tested, the money just continues to accrue in the bank, but I am sure they would rather be well than have money in the bank.

£1000 a month above their needs and continue to claim it ?
Time for a shake up of the system then.

EltonJohnFan

Loopy_Girl wrote: »

To be honest I feel a bit duped as I felt so so sorry for OP from their postings yesterday frantic with worry they wouldn't get ESA therefore 'have no money' and they didn't need 'the extra stress of that'.

I have to say I was thinking of the OP long long after I had switched off my PC.

*sigh* suppose I better go back to being the hard nosed b!tch then!!!!:rotfl::rotfl:

EJF - over £8000 doesn't equate to having 'no money' and should the ESA claim take some time to get sorted then at least you won't be strapped (but then I am even more confused as you say you can't spend money anyway) but the ESA will be backdated.

Should you wish to claim LHA/CT at this time (I know you say you are moving in with your parents but I'm not sure how imminent that is) then you will definitely need to declare your savings and it will most likely have some kind of deduction on the benefit rate.

Hey Loopy Girl,

Many thanks for your message and apologies if I haven't been as clear on everything as I should have been. I've had a lot happen of late and that's really affected me. I don't think I've ever said I was struggling for money and before today I never realised I was actually breaking the rules on the level of savings permitted by the DWP. I'm very sorry if you feel mislead in some way as that wasn't my intention at all. I've now been signed of as unfit for work and unable to claim JSA as a result of that but thankfully my GP has issued me with a sick note for one month so that I may claim ESA and concentrate on getting better again during this time. I intend on taking all the help and support that's offered to me as I feel I need it, really appreciate that my GP is putting it in place for me.

Please don't go back to being mean, ok? there's enough of those sort of people about and you can probably find one or two in my posting. I'm definitely moving in with my parents again full-time, that's not in question and I intend to fully declare this money I have as soon as I can possibly establish when it was exactly that I went over the savings limit and then repay this money and offer a sincere apology to the DWP but let them know how I was wrongly mislead by an advisor. That doesn't excuse what's happened, not at all, but I hope it goes at least some way in showing that I genuinely am sorry for this misunderstanding and want to put it right. I can empathise with what you've said and it goes to show that you're a good person and I can only wish you all the very best and reiterate how sorry I am if you felt I've confused/mislead you in some way. Take care and goodnight from me

Oldernotwiser

EltonJohnFan wrote: »

I don't think I've ever said I was struggling for money )

Actually, you said that you could be.

"I need to know that they'll not stop my Disability Living Allowance, Housing and Council Tax Benefit or my Jobseekers Allowance because if they do then I won't be able to pay for my home and I'm afraid I might lose it altogether. "

This was at the same time as you were asking for advice over where to put your £10,000 savings.

Loopy_Girl

EJF

I wouldn't tie yourself in knots of there has been any overpayment. The DWP are not interested in pursuing people like you who make own up to any mistakes/errors/bad advice whatever you want to call it. They want the serious fraudsters.

You will get the chance to pay any overpayment back which you can choose to do in a lump sum, or by interest free repayments. As has been mentioned though, if it can be proven that you did get false advice from a DWP rep then any overpayment could be written off.

No further action would be taken. The sooner you tell them then the sooner it can be resolved.
In fairness to myself, you did actually say yesterday that you were worried you wouldn't get a fit note and therefore not be able to claim ESA and you would 'be without any money or housing/council tax support' which indicated to me that you relied on benefit money and had no other means of income.

However, I'm not going to labour the point and it's done now.

I would contact the DWP first thing tomorrow.

CCFC_80

ManicMum wrote: »

so some people can spend every penny they earn on anything they desire, then fall on hard times and still demand tax payers money. tut tut. Now that really annoys me.

That's the unfairness of the system we live in I'm afraid.
Spend all your money and this government will look after you.Work your a*** off all your life and save for a rainy day, they don't give a s**t.:mad:

Oldernotwiser

Interestingly, you asked the question about the effect on your benefits of having over £6,000 in savings back in September. It seems that you have conveniently forgotten the answer you were given.

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/36789086#Comment_36789086

Including the poster who specifically advised you that

"For income based benefits it will be reduced by £1 for every £250 over £6k ".

Loopy_Girl

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

Interestingly, you asked the question about the effect on your benefits of having over £6,000 in savings back in September. It seems that you have conveniently forgotten the answer you were given.

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/36789086#Comment_36789086

Including the poster who specifically advised you that

"For income based benefits it will be reduced by £1 for every £250 over £6k ".

*sigh* oh dear....:(

smarternow

Just joined this site as my sister recently got some really good advice and thought i would join too.

My understanding is £5,999 before savings are taken into account for jsa claims. Contribution based.

Not sure about other benefits.

Best thing for you to do is make an appt and go and see someone at the JC. They are helpful and will advise you correctly - honesty is always the best policy even in this day and age and if its only been a few mths they will understand -

Everyone is entitled to have savings but its best if you get the experts to explain, write down names dates and times and make notes. Then if you ever get told differently you have evidence - no-one is infallable and mistakes can be made.

If you dont want to go and see them, then make an appt with CAB.

The last thing you need is to worry.

Dont be fobbed off by them wanting to do it over the phone make a face to face appt.

Hope you get sorted and shame on those nasty posts, yes there are those who are dishonest and shouldnt get help but this person is asking for help - bit of a difference me thinks.

Oldernotwiser

smarternow wrote: »

My understanding is £5,999 before savings are taken into account for jsa claims. Contribution based.
.

Contributions based JSA is a benefit that isn't affected by any amount of savings.