On benefits and big inheritance - advice agencies?

RAS

Ames

My suggestion would be that you try and buy the best house you can for your money; you do not need the stress of having to pull in builders etc when you have all the other stuff on your plate. it really does take a lot of time and is very stressful. Get somethin g you can move into and re-decorate when you are ready to do it not a fixer up.

And if family arer pressuring you, then suggest that might like to take on the responsibility?

Ames

Thanks RAS, that was my plan anyway. I just wasn't sure if I'd be allowed, say, two or three bedrooms when I'm on my own (although I could really do with a second bedroom for a carer when I'm bad).

No-one else can take responsibility. My dad's not involved at all, and my sister works full time and tbh her English is pretty poor. She wouldnd't be able to handle the forms.

RAS

Given the costs of houses in the posher parts of Leeds, I think you will be able to find one beds that cost much more than that if you are asked to justify the expense. If you need a room for a carer, definately go for a 2 bedroom. Remember, if you get anything bigger, you are going to have to heat and maintain it, which will eat into your income in the future.

Ames

Thanks RAS, I've been doing sums and factoring in extra heating costs. I'm a full time OU student and would like to do an MA so would like room for studying in, a cellar or just a large living room would be fine. One bed places tend to be flats which have service fees, which aren't covered by HB so it would cost more for that than the extra heating for a bigger place. Especially since after eight years living without central heating I doubt I'd have it on much anyway!

nannytone_2

service charges can be paid by hb

Ames

Can they? I thought only some could? I know I've read on here people complaining that they bought a flat and can't get them paid, when they would if they were renting.

seven-day-weekend

Ames wrote: »

Thanks RAS, I've been doing sums and factoring in extra heating costs. I'm a full time OU student and would like to do an MA so would like room for studying in, a cellar or just a large living room would be fine. One bed places tend to be flats which have service fees, which aren't covered by HB so it would cost more for that than the extra heating for a bigger place. Especially since after eight years living without central heating I doubt I'd have it on much anyway!

Housing Benefit will not apply anyway if you buy a place. It is only if you rent.

Ames

Thanks, that's what I thought. I wouldn't need hb if I bought a place but the fees would still be payable, that's what I meant in the bit you quoted. sorry if I wasn't clear.

Morglin

Ames wrote: »

Hi all.

My mum died last month, without a will. I'll be finishing the probate forms and sending them off this weekend. When it's all sorted I'll be coming out with £60k, and there's going to be £1-2k in payments from her work and union (at a guess, I've currently no idea how much the work life insurance at work is but it's not going to be much). I get DLA, IS and SDA. I live in a council flat and get rent and rates paid.

I'd like to use it to buy a property. I know that should be allowed but I don't know all the rules, like if there'll be a limit on the size of property I'm allowed, what will be reasonable to spend on carpets etc, if I'll be able to get disabled adaptations done (for instance, putting in a downstairs loo if it's a house, they could say that I should have bought a flat, but stupidly I can't afford a flat only a house).

So I need to get proper advice, but I don't know where to go. I need somewhere with knowledge of the benefits and housing rules. I was going to try Shelter but they don't have a branch in Leeds. I'm thinking the council's housing advice people, but I don't know if they'll understand the benefits system. I'm scared of going direct to the benefits agency until I have to in case they sanction me from now, instead of from when I get the money.

I don't trust CAB here because they have given me duff advice every time I've seen them - I was even sued after following advice from a solicitor they put me in touch with! I've always found that they have specialists in one area, but they don't know about other areas. So when I needed debt advice, they messed up benefits problems.

Really I just want one place where I can go and get all the info in one go.

Sorry for the essay.

Try giving these guys a ring - they are generally very helpful and fully understand the benefits system:


Benefit Enquiry Line

2nd Floor
Red Rose House
Lancaster Road
Preston
PR1 1HB

Helpline (voice): 0800 882200
Helpline (text): 0800 243355Telephone: 8.30am - 6.30pm, Monday - Friday; 9am - 1pm, Saturday
Web: www.direct.gov.uk/en/Dl1/Directories/DG_10011165

...........The Benefit Enquiry Line (BEL) is a benefits helpline for people with disabilities, carers and representatives. BEL is part of the Department for Work and Pensions. They offer confidential advice and information on benefits and how to claim them. In addition to giving advice they are also able to send out an extensive range of leaflets and claim packs to customers. As a national service they serve the whole of England, Scotland and Wales.

The advisers have no access to customer's personal records and are able to provide general advice only. The advisers are trained in Social Security benefits, the most common benefits they provide advice on are those relating to sickness and disability ie Disability Living Allowance, Incapacity Benefit, Statutory Sick Pay, and Income Support. BEL also provides help to complete certain disability-related claim packs over the telephone. Alternative formats are available....................

Buying a place used to be an acceptable way of using assets, without any DWP penalty, but as the rules keep changing, best to check it out.

Obviously, housing benefit would stop, as you wouldn't be paying rent (although it may be that CTB can stay in place).

DLA will not be affected by any assets/cash you may have.

Lin

DX2

Ames wrote: »

I have to get it done and sent off asap though, I should have done it already. Mum died on 8th April and we need to get the house up for sale straight away because summer's the best time to sell. Or so I keep being told. Besides, the benefits agency could accuse me of taking too long in order to stay on benefits if I drag my feet with it.

Ames I know it's easy for me to stay don't panic about things, but you need time to grieve and take care of yourself. I'm sorry for your loss.