alzheimers,stroke and mums inheritance

ron101

Hi my girlfriend whos lived with me for 20yrs and my self has alzheimers 4yrs ago ( cant do anything now)for her and i have had a stroke in 2003 (right hand side)both unable to work now,were both 60yrs now and were both on benifits now. Her mum after a long illness died about 5 yrs ago and left her some money about £20,000.We have seprate bank accounts so i didnt now how much shes had until now when i had to take over her bank accounts( last year) and then i realised she was over the £3,000 limit.When i took them over the account was down to £1800.00 and she has not touched it for two years or so becuase of her condition.
Now we got to go to the job centre plus on tuesday 8th november taking all her statements to them.They said "its not a criminal investigation and CUSTOMER COMPLIANCE interviews will not be conducted under caution or taped".
Now it appeared she didnt declare that she had it so i suppose im resposible now and i just dodnt now what to do.
Am i lieable, going to prison, going to court,am i going to pay something back HELLLLP

[Deleted User]

ok first off no ones going to prison,the limits are now £6,000 not £3k,upto that figure no effect on benefits,between £6k and £16k they are reduced by £1 per week per £250 over £16k no benefits,this all relates to means tested benefits e.g. income support,if you are talking about dla or incapacity these arent means tested

ron101

Hi JOHN
Does that mean we both get £6000.00 each not £3000 each now so thats £12000.00?
Does that mean after £16000.00 there are no benifits?
and DLA and INCAPACITY BENIFITS are not means tested?

Im sorry about this i might be 60yrs but i lost some brain cells when i had my stroke so i have to be sure,BUT i feel a bit better already after your usefull comments.

[Deleted User]

no as joint claimants you only get one capital allowance e.g. £6000 etc
after £16000 there are NO means tested benefits
and dla and IB arent means tested

just go and see them take what theyve asked for and be 100% honest about your situation etc.

ron101

Thank you john youve been a great help.

Sueinbirmingham

Ron - is there a typo in your post? Should the figure it is now be £1800 as you say or £18,000? I only ask because the latter sounded more plausible and I wondered whether your uncertainty lay with any misunderstanding between you and the DWP as to how much money there is.

Adding to what Woodbine said, he mentioned DLA and IB, so if that's what you're on, you're fine, but are you on anything like council tax benefit? If so, and the figure's £18,000 not £1800, do remember to tell the council.

Forgive me for wondering whether there might have been a typo there.

ron101

Hi Sueinbirmingham i had to read it again but my girlfriend has left £1800.00 last year when i took it over,there was more but i havnt got the statements, the council tax benifit i dont now about that?