Helping someone on UC

professor555

This looks like a straightforward question but after hours of searching online I can find no satisfactory answers so hoping someone can assist.   We have a close relative who is on UC.  He owns his small cottage and as far AFAIK is not required to sell it to qualify for UC.  The cottage needs some urgent repairs which my wife and I would like to assist with, but we have no idea how this might sit with the DHS.  Presumably they will want to regard any unknown credit to his bank account as unearned income (even if it pays a bill of equivalent amount) .  Are we justified in our suspicions, and is there an alternative to paying the repairers direct ?   Thanks in advance.     

poppy12345

I'm assuming he's living in the house? Any money you give him is a gift and will not affect his UC but if you give him money regularly then DWP could ask questions. It maybe better to pay directly for any work that needs doing, this way there will be no questions asked.

professor555

Yes he lives in the property. Tks for your helpful guidance, think we'll be playing safe whenever possible.