Giving money to someone on benefits

Rache_2

Does anyone know the best way to give money to someone on benefits without it affecting their entitlement to benefits?

I have a close family member who is really on the breadline. We have checked and double checked that he is getting everything he is entitled to, but he is still really struggling. My husband and I would like to help him in some way, ideally with a regular gift of cash, but I understand from friends who work in the benefit office (and I can understand why this should be) that if it's a regular income for basic needs (ie food and transport etc) then it would count as income and would therefore reduce his benefits.

What's the best way of helping him out long term without him committing fraud? Access to one of my credit cards with a named card? Basic bank account in my name? Irregular lump sum "gifts" (how irregular?). A car or use of a car with access to money for petrol?

I would be most grateful for any advice, either on board or via PM, especially for those with specialist knowledge or who have done this themselves or who have any cautionary tales.

Rache_2

Oh, and just to add, he is on Job Seekers' Allowance and has applied for over a hundred jobs with no success over the past year. He doesn't want to be stuck on benefits and is very frustrated by the position he's found himself in. He has no dependents and so doesn't qualify for much apart from JSA and HB. He is in his fifties and up until an episode of depression following his divorce (when he was constructively dismissed from his job) had worked all of his life in a professional capacity, contributed NI,tax etc, and never claimed anything until now.

TomsMom

I'm sorry I can't help you Rache as I don't know the ins and outs of this, but I just wanted to say what a kind and considerate gesture.

As a starter, would it be possible for you to make up a hamper of food/household goods/toiletries, that would maybe help in the short term until you get some definite guidelines on the ideas you have mentioned in your post.

Rache_2

TomsMom wrote: »

I'm sorry I can't help you Rache as I don't know the ins and outs of this, but I just wanted to say what a kind and considerate gesture.

As a starter, would it be possible for you to make up a hamper of food/household goods/toiletries, that would maybe help in the short term until you get some definite guidelines on the ideas you have mentioned in your post.

I have sent him a one-off cheque and think it's a fabulous idea to send him an emergency food parcel type thing. He is very proud and it's difficult for him to accept help, but it is very difficult when someone you love is in such straits. People have told me it's kind and considerate, but it's no more than anyone would do for a close family member, if they could afford to (and we can, thanks to this site over the past couple of years!).

wishiwasarichgirl

could you just do his weekly shop for him? would that count as fraud?

Rache_2

wishiwasarichgirl wrote: »

could you just do his weekly shop for him? would that count as fraud?

I understand that it might as it's for basic living expenses. I'm not sure how they'd find out about it mind you. But I think technically, it could be. It's slightly complicated by the fact that we're at opposite ends of the country, so it would have to be done online eg a Tesco delivery which somehow makes it more "official" than me popping in with a couple of bags of groceries and a £20 note now and then. It could easily work, but I'm afraid of repercussions.

Edited to add: I'm off to bed now, but I will check on this thread tomorrow and beyond for any more wisdom. Thanks to all who've posted and PM'd me.

Rache_2

Just a quick one to say thank you so much to all the posters who've PM'd me off board with their experiences. It's been very useful, if a bit sad to hear about so many people in similar straits.

Fran

You could give him £5 per week without it affecting his benefits as on Jobseekers Allowance you are allowed to earn that. He should declare it though as it would appear as a regular payment on his bank statement (assuming that's how you'd pay it). £5 might not sound a lot but every pound does make a difference at that level of income.

jonesMUFCforever

Rache wrote: »

I understand that it might as it's for basic living expenses. I'm not sure how they'd find out about it mind you. But I think technically, it could be. It's slightly complicated by the fact that we're at opposite ends of the country, so it would have to be done online eg a Tesco delivery which somehow makes it more "official" than me popping in with a couple of bags of groceries and a £20 note now and then. It could easily work, but I'm afraid of repercussions.

Edited to add: I'm off to bed now, but I will check on this thread tomorrow and beyond for any more wisdom. Thanks to all who've posted and PM'd me.

As a bank worker I frequently get requests for bank statements for last 6 to 8 weeks from people claiming benefits (all kinds). The OP would have to explain any other credit appearing on his account - this is why the food hamper is a great idea IMO.

BigMummaF

What about collecting the savings stamps or the various gift vouchers that are available from supermarkets & places like Wilkinson[who now sell basic grocery items too]...officially it's not money, & if it's for the shops that sell clothes & household goods, who knows what your rellies would spend it on?

Maybe if you could use different stores, eg Primark; Boots[tell him to get a loyalty card too!];Mr T; Burtons; Asda etc, your chap could get the various 'extras' that are needed such as toiletries & underwear, freeing up some spare cash for food & bills.

The Post Office used to sell stamps for all sorts of saving schemes like phone bill & road tax, & if they were an xmas gift I'm sure that would be OK? But I'm not an expert, so please feel free to check it out.

I hope your chap finds something very soon, cuz if he's anything like you, he's a decent bloke who any employer should be proud to have working with them.

Rache_2

Gift vouchers/ saving stamps is an excellent idea - thank you, BigMummaF

Fran - good to know the legal side of things - an extra £5 a week is certainly doable if it doesn't affect his benefits. Thanks.

ejones - thanks for confirming my suspicion that a regular DD into his account is a no go.

In a twist to the tale, I've just been on the phone to him, and his fridge has packed up.... I have just organised to fill his cupboards with longlife milk and OJ, cereal, pulses, tinned soups, pasta, rice, pasta and curry sauces, and a few beers and bottles of wine, and some fresh fruit and veggies that don't need to be fridged. Cheers, Mr Tesco. He says he can get a second hand fridge from a friend, but I think that's his Xmas pressie sorted if he can't.

Again, thank you, everyone.