relative helping out with money

bertiebat

Decided not to confuse things. So ignore post.

Mojisola

Fluffs123 wrote: »

i'm being made to feel we're doing something untoward here! surely that's not the case?

When you're receiving means-tested benefits then all money coming in is taken into account wherever it's coming from. So, in theory, if a relative is giving you money every month and is intending to continue doing so, it should be counted as income.

Fluffs123

uh oh beginning to think i've opened a can of worms here!

re: cash - tricky, as he's abroad, and at some point it would have to go into the bank account to help pay the rent.

Mojisola

Fluffs123 wrote: »

re: cash - tricky, as he's abroad, and at some point it would have to go into the bank account to help pay the rent.

Get the amounts to vary and make sure it isn't paid in every month.

Why are you claiming the Housing Benefit if he is paying your rent?

TOBRUK

Fluffs123 wrote: »

.... i think that means they will leave me alone for at least a year, so perhaps we'll stop the payments 2 months before the anniversary, as they only wanted to see 2 months of statements.

When they've been doing checks I've been asked for 6 months of statements, I think they can ask for even more than 6 months.

Fluffs123

Mojisola wrote: »

Get the amounts to vary and make sure it isn't paid in every month.

Why are you claiming the Housing Benefit if he is paying your rent?

think that sounds like the best plan.

he's not paying all the rent. i have an overall shortfall each month which he's covering until i can get a job. and yes, i have addressed that shortfall, but it's a bit more complicated than i care to go into.

Bryndis

All you need to do is keep it irregular and preferably in cash. Say 3 weeks, then 5, then 1, then 6 and so on.

It is then classed as capital and as long it does not bring your capital to the level at which your savings would reduce your benefits it is simply not an issue you need to worry about.

I think this is the only way a lot of people are surviving at the moment.

Mojisola

Fluffs123 wrote: »

the's not paying all the rent. i have an overall shortfall each month which he's covering until i can get a job. and yes, i have addressed that shortfall, but it's a bit more complicated than i care to go into.

Bryndis wrote: »

All you need to do is keep it irregular and preferably in cash. Say 3 weeks, then 5, then 1, then 6 and so on.

It is then classed as capital and as long it does not bring your capital to the level at which your savings would reduce your benefits it is simply is not an issue you need worry about.

As I said before - what a great brother to have!

Byrndis has the answer. It makes it a bit more complicated for your brother but will save you a lot of worries.

Good luck with the job hunting.

Fluffs123

Bryndis wrote: »

I think this is the only way a lot of people are surviving at the moment.

yup, think you're not wrong

Fluffs123

Mojisola wrote: »

As I said before - what a great brother to have!

Byrndis has the answer. It makes it a bit more complicated for your brother but will save you a lot of worries.

Good luck with the job hunting.

indeed, though it saddens me that it's considered worthy of comment.

and thanks, will need it. it's tough out there.