12 years of benefits in deceased's account?

HackneySimon

I've been helping a neighbour who recently found out that his deceased dad's bank account is still live and contains nearly 20k.

He was just 12 when his dad killed himself.

There was no will, no probate, no other next of kin, no other relatives in the UK but he does have a copy of the death certificate.

He's asked the bank to close the account. They've told him about the money and said they will send him a cheque.

But if this money turns out to be 12 years of benefits, what must he do? And could the government really just keep shelling out benefits to someone who is dead?

He has no idea what the adults did about his dad's affairs at the time of death.

His dad would not have had a pension, but probably had unemployment benefit and housing benefit.

Of course, maybe he left a surprise amount of money that nobody knew about - but his son thinks this unlikely as the death was suicide.

He thinks he will get this money and then immediately have to return it once the bank ends whatever standing orders are on there. He has not asked for a copy of any statements. The lad has never had 2 pennies to rub together, this has given him enormous hope, brought back long-buried emotions and I'm trying to prepare him for the worst while hoping for the best.

Any insights or thoughts are most welcome. Thank you.

WhenIam64

Tell him to see a solicitor. Organise a death certificate.

HackneySimon

Thanks. He has the death certificate, which I got for him this week from the council.

edgex

"There was no will, no probate, no other next of kin, no other relatives in the UK but he does have a copy of the death certificate."

So he went into the care system?
Someone at the council will have dealt with the death, so that's who you need to contact if you want any info.

If he is in touch with the bank, then as long as they have evidence that he is the next of kin (& has the right to the account contents) then he could ask for a statement.
It's not going to be benefits; a) they don't just keep paying them with no contact from the claimant, b) they will have known of the death

calcotti

The easiest way to find out where the money is from is to request information from the bank. The money may just have been sitting there for a long time. If there have been payments still coming in the bank will be able to tell you where they are from.

Beenie

if it was benefits build-up, it would be much higher than 20K. My elderly mum receives nearly £800 per month in state support (and it goes entirely to the care home where she resides).

If she died, and the benefits continued to be paid, it would be £9600 per year, so after 20 years would be over £180,000.

The money in your dad's account will most likely be his savings and nothing to do with benefits.

sportsarb

Its unbelievably rare for a death not to be recorded by DWP, but I have seen it happen from time to time, but like maybe 2 cases in almost 20 years.

It would take not only DWP not to be notified, but also ever agency and third party that they interact with to not be notified, and that is extremely rare. The only time I remember seeing it for sure was a case of deliberate non informing by a family member who ended up going to prison for fraud.

xylophone

There is a death certificate so that the death was registered - the certificate will have details of the informant.

The OP's friend should ask the bank for a statement of the account -the source of the funds should be apparent.

His dad would not have had a pension,

Is he certain of this?

xylophone

He might try

https://www.gov.uk/find-pension-contact-details

Norman_Castle

HackneySimon wrote: »

But if this money turns out to be 12 years of benefits, what must he do? And could the government really just keep shelling out benefits to someone who is dead?

He has no idea what the adults did about his dad's affairs at the time of death.

His dad would not have had a pension, but probably had unemployment benefit and housing benefit.

Benefits would not be paid for 12 years without assessment. How did he find out the account exists? Ask for statements which will show if it has been funded since the death.


If this account was missed there may be others.
https://www.mylostaccount.org.uk/

HackneySimon

Norman_Castle wrote: »

Benefits would not be paid for 12 years without assessment. How did he find out the account exists? Ask for statements which will show if it has been funded since the death.




Thanks for that information. A close neighbour in the same council block opened some mail from the bank and realised it was addressed to the deceased. He then used social media to track down the son, my friend. I guess he is going to ask for a statement - I think he is terrified of this being too good to be true.