We’d like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum.
This is to keep it a safe and useful space for MoneySaving discussions. Threads that are – or become – political in nature may be removed in line with the Forum’s rules. Thank you for your understanding.
📨 Have you signed up to the Forum's new Email Digest yet? Get a selection of trending threads sent straight to your inbox daily, weekly or monthly!
The Forum now has a brand new text editor, adding a bunch of handy features to use when creating posts. Read more in our how-to guide
Housing Benefit rules
brovahelpa
Posts: 168 Forumite
A retired friend of mine who gets full housing benefit recently did a little job for an elderly neighbour. A few days later she turned up on his doorstep, pushed an envolope into his hand and left. Inside was £40. He did the job to help out, now he's worried and doesn't know if he should inform the benefit department.
Any advise please.
Any advise please.
0
Comments
-
Best thing to do is inform the benefit department. An email should suffice. I have no idea what he is claiming so it is impossible to say what might happen but an email to the LA and that will bring peace of mind. They could inform him then what amounts he needs to inform them of in future which will help him."Our prime purpose in this life is to help others. And if you can't help them, at least don't hurt them." Dalai Lama0
-
best bet would be to give the money back,far simpler0
-
I'd be very surprised if receiving £40 wasn't deemed absolutely fine. Hopefully once he knows that he can get himself a little treat."Our prime purpose in this life is to help others. And if you can't help them, at least don't hurt them." Dalai Lama0
-
It depends on his actual income. If on Pension Credit, he can tell them and they would notify the LA if any changes had to be made to his HB / CTB claim.
If not, he should advise the council who will use £40 for a day's wage, he would see a small reduction in his HB possibly and then back up.I currently manage a Housing Benefit service and have been working in Housing / council tax benefit (as was) since 2001.
All views expressed in my posts are my own opinions and do not necessarily reflect those of my employer.0 -
Is there any difference in that this might not be seen as a wage but a gift? He did a job for a neighbour, as a favour, there was no mention of money and no payment was asked for or agreed or offered.
Later and afterwards the neighbour came and gave him £40 in an envelope, seems like it could be a gift to me."Our prime purpose in this life is to help others. And if you can't help them, at least don't hurt them." Dalai Lama0 -
Is there any difference in that this might not be seen as a wage but a gift? He did a job for a neighbour, as a favour, there was no mention of money and no payment was asked for or agreed or offered.
Later and afterwards the neighbour came and gave him £40 in an envelope, seems like it could be a gift to me.
Yes PippaGirl, it seems like a gift to me too. Surely there must be some leeway for gifts? Or have the DWP clamped down on those too?0 -
It's a gift so you don't need to say anything! I mean, you wouldn't tell them about money you've received as a birthday present for example - would you?0
This discussion has been closed.
Confirm your email address to Create Threads and Reply
Categories
- All Categories
- 354.3K Banking & Borrowing
- 254.4K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
- 455.4K Spending & Discounts
- 247.3K Work, Benefits & Business
- 604K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
- 178.4K Life & Family
- 261.5K Travel & Transport
- 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
- 16K Discuss & Feedback
- 37.7K Read-Only Boards