ESA and savings

Whimsical1

Hi everyone,

I'm receiving income related ESA (£127 p/w), living at home with parents. I don't get out much due to being ill meaning I don't spend a lot, as a result the money built up in my account the past few years and currently have just under £5500. My only real expenditure is paying my parents £50 a week in board, I don't drive, drink or smoke so the money gradually builds up.

I'm aware once savings go above £6000 I must declare it and every additional £250 over this. I'm wondering how I go about contacting the DWP? It might be fairly regularly, do the call handlers update your file there and then (tariff) over the phone? Do you need to keep sending bank statements for every additional £250 over the savings threshold?

Many thanks.

TELLIT01

One suggestion, although it might not go down well with some contributors, is to pay your parents more in board. If they wish to put that money aside, assuming they aren't on income based benefits, that is their business. If they spend the money on you when you need more expensive items, that is their business.
It has always seemed wrong that benefit payments are classed as capital after 12 months, but it is so you need to be creative (legally) in order to stay below the £6k limit.

kingfisherblue

You could also consider a holiday. There are specialist holidays for people who are ill or who need care, if that is more suitable.

Whimsical1

TELLIT01 wrote: »

One suggestion, although it might not go down well with some contributors, is to pay your parents more in board. If they wish to put that money aside, assuming they aren't on income based benefits, that is their business. If they spend the money on you when you need more expensive items, that is their business.
It has always seemed wrong that benefit payments are classed as capital after 12 months, but it is so you need to be creative (legally) in order to stay below the £6k limit.

Thanks for the suggestion, paying the majority of my benefits (say £100 PW) to my parents towards my board would certainly prevent me going over the savings limit and avoid the stress of having to keep updating the DWP and sending bank statements.

Whimsical1

kingfisherblue wrote: »

You could also consider a holiday. There are specialist holidays for people who are ill or who need care, if that is more suitable.

Thanks for the suggestion, a holiday certainly sounds nice but unfortunately equally terrifying, I couldn't travel alone. It is soul crushing that I not only struggle to work but even enjoy my life due to mental health and physical issues.

ilovechristmas1

is there no hobby or something you have been putting of buying,maybe if you spend alot of time in your room maybe make it nicer for you,get it newly decorated,new bedding etc

Mojisola

Whimsical1 wrote: »

Thanks for the suggestion, a holiday certainly sounds nice but unfortunately equally terrifying, I couldn't travel alone. It is soul crushing that I not only struggle to work but even enjoy my life due to mental health and physical issues.

Could you pay for a career/companion to go away with you for a couple of days to see how you manage?

It would give your parents a break as well so benefits everyone.

[Deleted User]

You can spend the £5500 you have now in any way you chose, maybe you could buy your mum a new freezer or yourself a new phone or laptop or a new TV, could you go on holiday if your mum and dad went with you? you could pay for that. Below £6000 there is nothing to stop you spending it how you choose. Once your saving go above £6000 you have to notify the DWP and for every £250 over that you loose £1 in benefits but you won't have to notify them every week.

Whimsical1

ilovechristmas1 wrote: »

is there no hobby or something you have been putting of buying,maybe if you spend alot of time in your room maybe make it nicer for you,get it newly decorated,new bedding etc

It's a good idea, thanks. I have lost interest in a lot activities I used to like doing the past several years, and as result tend neglect my own needs and can get by on very little.

A holiday sounds lovely to a lot of people but to me personally at this minute, more stressful being away from home.

Willow_70

Hi...
Just wondering..
How can does the DPW find out if you have over £6000 in a sperate savings account?

tomtom256

Willow_70 wrote: »

Hi...
Just wondering..
How can does the DPW find out if you have over £6000 in a sperate savings account?

It's called data matching.