Bequest and benefits

Flossmac

My husband has recently passed away - I am a pensioner. My husband had some savings which have been transferred to me but before he died he asked that I give our 5 adult children a small sum
of money for the help they had given to us during his illness. I am on housing benefit and live in rented accommodation. 

With my husbands money I now have £11500 in savings, am I allowed to give my children the money my husband requested or will it not be allowed and affect my benefits ? 

McKneff

I don't know but you would be better asking the dwp. 

Ask you children If they want it first. 
They may rather you didn't pass any on and just use it for yourself if you are on benefits

elsien

Not if it wasn’t in his will, I wouldn’t expect. It will still be treated as yours otherwise. 

poppy12345

You can't just give away your money as it will be classed as deprivation of capital. For every £500 or part there of over £10,000 your means tested benefits will reduce by £1 per week.

calcotti

Do you receive just Housing Benefit (and presumably Council tax Reduction) or do you also receive Pension Credit?

Flossmac

calcotti said:

Do you receive just Housing Benefit (and presumably Council tax Reduction) or do you also receive Pension Credit?

Just housing benefit and council tax reduction 

calcotti

The first £10,000 of capital is ignored. When calculating your HB and CTR, you will be treated as receiving £1/week income for every £500, or part thereof, over £10,000. That means that if you have £11,500, or are treated as having £11,500, your HB and CTR will be calculated as if you have an additional £3 of income/week. If you can cope with a slight reduction in your HB and CTR then you could still give away the money in accordance with your late husband's wishes. Depending on your financial situation an extra £3/week of income may make no difference to your HB and CTR entitlement.