Benefit, cancer, cash gifts

Mumispoppins

Ok so one of my closest friends husband has just been told he has only months to live. They have 3 very young children and don't own their home. We jumped into action as her friends and started a 'go fund me' account for her as a gift and in 2 days its lovingly raised £7000 and rising. Which is so fantastic as they very much need to have some sort of holiday or fund to make some last memories and this will make that happen.
My question and concerns are that as she is now plunged into the benefits system as he's not able to work (she does, but may have to become his career I guess) will it effect what she's got coming in or will it in the future?
We don't want to add to her long list of worries so any advice is welcome.
My Kindest Regards and Sincere Thanks.

calcotti

Husband should claim PIP and ESA under special rules. If in a UC area the ESA will be new style ESA. PIP and new style ESA are not means tested and together will provide an income of £145.35 and £110.75 respectively (per week).

Other benefits are means tested so other household income and savings are taken into account. Would only be prevented from claiming benefits if total capital went over £16,000.

I am not aware of any disregard for crowd funded money.

Macmillan may be able to offer support and advice.

calleyw

calcotti wrote: »

Other benefits are means tested so other household income and savings are taken into account. Would only be prevented from claiming benefits if total capital went over £16,000.

I am not aware of any disregard for crowd funded money.

Macmillan may be able to offer support and advice.

But if the money is never given to the person directly but someone running the go fund me page pays for things directly such as tickets to Alton towers or a holiday etc



Then it has not passed through the claimants hands or bank account. So in theory the claimant has not had the money.


Can anyone confirm that this will not effect any benefits they receive.


Yours


Calley x

calcotti

calleyw wrote: »

But if the money is never given to the person directly but someone running the go fund me page pays for things directly such as tickets to Alton towers or a holiday etc


Then it has not passed through the claimants hands or bank account. So in theory the claimant has not had the money.


Can anyone confirm that this will not effect any benefits they receive.

I have struggled to find anything definitive but that seems to me a safer approach.

NeilCr

Nearest I could find

https://www.entitledto.co.uk/help/benefits-charity

I agree re "paying for things" and with approaching MacMillan

calcotti

NeilCr wrote: »

Nearest I could find

https://www.entitledto.co.uk/help/benefits-charity

I agree re "paying for things" and with approaching MacMillan

Well spotted - I was looking through Advice to Decision Makers and Decision Makers guide and struggling to find it.

Mumispoppins

Thank you all so, so much I really appreciate all your help! I will look into all of that now.

My Kindest Regards.