Friend In A Muddle Please Help

rogerblack

Dunroamin wrote: »

Financial advisers know very little about benefits and there's no reason why they should.

I would argue that it should be a requirement for them to know the basics of capital and income treatment, if they are advising people who may be on means tested benefits at some point in the near future.

In some cases, setting fire to a pile of money can have a better outcome than investing it properly, from a benefits point of view.

confusednorfolk

Morlock wrote: »

Hardly any money! They get nearly double the amount of money per week that a couple claiming JSA receive.

Sorry i meant it to mean that he has hardly any money (if any) savings etc there sole income is from benefits, the man in question worked 20 years for the RAF as a civilian employee and his wife has been on DLA since birth i presume as she has a seveve learning disability and cannot in no way work.

confusednorfolk

Thanks again for al your help.

So im 100% clear on what to tell him..........

As he is on Incapacity benefit and his wife is on DLA these are not means tested ???

They recieve no housing benefit no council tax benefit and apart from the above mentioned no other benefits.

Does this mean he can keep hold of his money from the house ??? ( He will still need to spend loads on redoing it though ut if he can save some money im sure that would make him happy )

Many thanks

rogerblack

confusednorfolk wrote: »

Thanks again for al your help.

So im 100% clear on what to tell him..........

As he is on Incapacity benefit and his wife is on DLA these are not means tested ???

This is correct.
However, over the next several years (probably less than one for IB), he and his wife will be migrated over to ESA/PIP.
If he is placed in the work-related group, he will only be entitled to non means-tested ESA for one year from the date of migration.

It is my understanding that they should be eligible for council tax benefit, as he is in the process of selling his other house.

xylophone

Why doesn't your friend make an appointment with a benefits adviser?
http://www.ncodp.org.uk/our-services/disability-rights-norfolk
https://www.gov.uk/incapacity-benefit might be worth a look as changes are in the pipeline?