benefits & winning money

Housing_Benefit_Officer

Ostrava wrote: »

How would the DWP have known how much was in her bank account?

Data Matching Exercise - Google to see what it is. You can't have money travelling through your accounts undeclared and the HMRC/DWP not know.

Housing_Benefit_Officer

Mojisola wrote: »

How could anyone prove that the OP knew she was supposed to report the increase in capital?

Because of the declaration she would have signed when claiming benefits.

seven-day-weekend

jadc007 wrote: »

to be honest I have never claimed benefits so wouldn't no the ins and outs of winning money and claiming so didn't think nothing of it and her putting it my account was something like i said she knows im good with maintaining rather then blowing it like she would of done lol. Yep I'll push her to get it sorted asap - I would of hoped she looked also but she did tell me she had no clue she had too but hey thanks again

Looks like she's blown it anyway, £19k in six months.

I admit it does look suspicious that it is in your account.

Really, no-one knows what will happen. But I would imagine she will have to pay at least some of it back.

Mojisola

Housing_Benefit_Officer wrote: »

Because of the declaration she would have signed when claiming benefits.

The OP isn't the person who claimed the benefits.

Mojisola

Cheeky_Monkey wrote: »

That's irrelevant.

It's irrelevant to the money that will be taken back - it is relevant to the comments from people who thought the mother had been living the high life through spending such a lot of money in a short time.

calleyw

Mojisola wrote: »

It's irrelevant to the money that will be taken back - it is relevant to the comments from people who thought the mother had been living the high life through spending such a lot of money in a short time.

No one has said the mother was living the high life. Just how the DWP will see it. As spending X amount in a certain time. They don't care how or what was done with it. Also they could say deprivation of capital. Even though that was not the OP's mother intention.

The OP has not signed the declaration. But the mother did. Hence why she should have informed the DWP. Best to report any changes just in case. As then at least you can say I reported that.

When with my Ex husband who was is on contribution ESA. I got him to ring and get a letter stating it did not matter what his savings where. Just so I had it in writing.

Yours

Calley

Mojisola

Cheeky_Monkey wrote: »

Clearly not as you did allow her to 'blow' £19k in 7 months :eek:

calleyw wrote: »

I have never earned 19K in a year. And still had to pay a mortgage and all bills associated with a house. Run a car and pay for all my prescriptions etc.

£19k is a lot of money and don't forget that it was tax free as well. So to spend £1583 a month is a lot of money for a single person who does not work. And getting their rent and council tax paid. As well as free prescriptions and free dental work.

calleyw wrote: »

No one has said the mother was living the high life.

Didn't they? .........

calleyw

Mojisola wrote: »

Didn't they? .........

You need to re-read what I was replying to.

Its how the DWP will see it. They will take it as 19K spent/blown or what ever words you care to use over now it seems six months.

I was pointing out that, over 12 months it was averaging over £1583 a month being spent. On top of benefits. The DWP will not tolerate that sort of spending for a single person. As that is how they will see it a single person. They don't care what you have done with the money. So not relevant where the money has gone, or who has spent the money and on what.

The OP's mother has to deal with situation which I can understand is stressful. I am sure loads of other people would have not reported it either. Or not even thought to. But she got found out. And now it has too be dealt with.

We are trying to show the OP how the DWP see it. Not me or you or uncle tom cobbly.

Me, I always check and then check again and check again if I have too. I had an ex husband on benefits so am well aware of all the forms and declarations that have to be signed.

The onus is on you, the claimant to report any changes. Best to report it even if you don't think it will makes any difference. And report it to each department you make a claim from. Don't assume that they will let each other know. Not always the case.

I wish the OP's mum all the best and hope it gets sorted quickly.

Yours

Calley

seven-day-weekend

I too hope it gets sorted quickly, to avoid the OP's mum's stress.

However, it might be a lesson worth learning that any extra money that comes your way if you are on means-tested benefits - ALWAYS ring and ask the DWP about it. Write down the person's name, the date, and the advice they gave you - then if it comes back to bite you in six months, you have a record of what was said. They too will be able to check their records.

I must admit however, to feeling slightly puzzled that both the OP and her mum would think that they did not have to declare a £19k windfall - still it takes all sorts I suppose.

skcollo

seven-day-weekend wrote: »

Looks like she's blown it anyway, £19k in six months.

I admit it does look suspicious that it is in your account.

Really, no-one knows what will happen. But I would imagine she will have to pay at least some of it back.

She should pay it all back, its fraud pure and simple.

Here's another who got away with fraud, and continues to claim to this very day.

http://www.burtonmail.co.uk/scratchcard-winner-admits-fraud-charges/story-21482854-detail/story.html
It amazes me we have a system so abused, day in day out, and (it seems)
nothing more than a light tap on the wrist, then back to claiming.