Housing benefit & Inheritance

Superdad

Thank you to everyone who has taken the trouble to reply, it is really appreciated.

Just to clarify, we have no intention of defrauding anyone and will cancel the claim once we have the money.

As for disposing of the money, we certainly have no intention of 'stashing' it anywhere, online or otherwise. The suggestion in my original post about giving some as trusts for grand children etc was not meant as a means of 'getting rid of assets' but as a means of genuinely helping family out. However, I can see how it might be viewed by others, especially those in authority with the task of protecting the public purse. At least one of said family members will be a bit peeved to learn that they cannot have some of the money as was expected.

It seems to me that the big question revolves around the word 'reasonable' and how that might be interpreted by our particular council.

I think I will speak to a local benefits adviser as I suspect he may have a feeling for how the local council act in these situations. I may even call the local housing benefit office and ask for their advice.

I will report back here.

regards

Brian

calcotti

What is reasonable depends on the circumstances. Spending money on a car to replace an old vehicle is reasonable, spending money to replace a fairly new vehicle could be considered unreasonable. Carry out house repairs is reasonable, building an extension is probably not (unless there is a clear need for additional space).

WhenIam64

Carry out house repairs is reasonable, building an extension is probably not (unless there is a clear need for additional space).

If the OP is on HB, is this not a rented property? And if such spend was seen in bank statements, would this not raise an issue?

asdf1982

Some of the things we would like to spend some of the money on are:
Setting up trust funds for our four young grandchildren.
Giving our children a lump sum each.

You cannot do that it's deprivation of capital. Giving money away is always deprivation of capital even if it's charity or children.


Decorating & furnishing our home. We have always had to manage with hand-me-downs and second hand items.
Buying a decent (possibly new) motor.

It's likely they will agree to both of these, request it in writing.

Superdad

WhenIam64 wrote: »

If the OP is on HB, is this not a rented property? And if such spend was seen in bank statements, would this not raise an issue?

Just to clarify, along with general decoration, we would like to install a new shower room. This is something that is required as I struggle to get in & out of the bath due to a disability. The housing association (our landlord) have already accepted this and given their approval for the work subject to them vetting the chosen contractor.

regards

Brian

TELLIT01

Necessary changes such as bathroom modifications wouldn't be seen as deprivation.

Carrieanne

Superdad wrote: »

Just to clarify, along with general decoration, we would like to install a new shower room. This is something that is required as I struggle to get in & out of the bath due to a disability. The housing association (our landlord) have already accepted this and given their approval for the work subject to them vetting the chosen contractor.

regards

Brian

You can also mitigate the effects by improving the quality of your lives in other ways. Some examples and guesstimates: you currently spend £60 per week on groceries. Increase that to £100; you get to eat and drink better than currently. That'll amount to £2K per year. You don't go on foreign holidays (or any holidays perhaps). A fortnight for two in sunny Turkey or similar at a cost, say, of £1,500 along with spending £1K between you while there would account for another £2.5K each year. Those extra expenses would account for over £22K five years hence and be considered reasonable. Then there's an opportunity to upgrade furniture and appliances at home if and when they become shabby, worn or conk out... so that 32' telly might be replaced with a higher spec 55-incher, etc. You would be wise to spend and purchase as much as you possibly can using digital money rather than cash and retain receipts.

PS I'd love to know how the family in the story linked below are getting on.

Family demands a council house after blowing a £250,000 inheritance on cars, motorbikes and weight loss surgery in just a YEAR - https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-6043241/Family-demand-council-house-spending-250-000-inheritance-year.html

[Deleted User]

^^^ its the daily mail they probably don't exist in REAL life. -)

badmemory

Spend this money wisely bearing in mind what has been said in many posts above. If you own your own home then do future proof it as far as possible (that can be priceless & save your LA a fortune as you will be able to stay there longer).

calcotti

badmemory wrote: »

If you own your own home ......

OP has said they rent their home from a housing association.