Benefits and inheritance

rev229

My brother (65) is in receipt of multiple benefits.. PIP , housing etc.
I’m the executor for our mother’s estate. He will get a £5k lump sum then £60k in trust fund. Surely he needs to declare this? 

HillStreetBlues

If the £5k  take his capital over £6k then that has to be declared.

The trust fund needs to be looked at carefully.
A trust fund can be exempt from means-tested benefits as the person isn't deemed to own the fund  but can use the money in that fund.

HillStreetBlues

I did forget to say has to be declared for means-tested benefits.
So doesn't need to declare for PIP.

calcotti

As indicated by HillStreetBlues a trust may be disregarded - the terms of the trust will be the determining factor.

rev229

From what I know as we have no contact with him, he has PIP, housing benefits and UC. I’ve told the solicitor that we have no contact or rather he refuses to engage with us and I want no responsibility for his part of the inheritance! No idea how to progress. The solicitor will try to contact him

HillStreetBlues

AFAIK as a executor it's not in your duty  to inform any benefit department.

NedS

rev229 said:

From what I know as we have no contact with him, he has PIP, housing benefits and UC. I’ve told the solicitor that we have no contact or rather he refuses to engage with us and I want no responsibility for his part of the inheritance! No idea how to progress. The solicitor will try to contact him

You can (anonymously, or otherwise) contact and report the inheritance to DWP, who can then investigate. You could state that he is your brother, you are the executor of the will and he is potentially vulnerable (as in receipt of PIP) and hence unable to report for himself. DWP can then investigate sympathetically and assist your brother to ensure he is getting the correct entitlement to any means-tested benefits.