help needed and where to start...

swesty212

I have a  a mess on my hands... i feel very stressed about this and want to resolve it with as less stress as possible.

I hope to get some advice.

I have been overpaid uc and esa since February 2024, 

Out of the blue in February, i recieved some inheritance from grandparents who passed away within 9 months of eachother. 

It was over the 16k . I wasnt expecting to receive anything as my relationship with my grandparents wasnt great.

I need to explain my situation a bit clearer. Ive suffered mental health problems for many many years, inc hospitalisation a few times. I will always be on medication etc.

 I struggle to deal with change and have  relied on UC.

the inheritance gradually came in over around 7 months, and went over the threshold in early February. I felt a bit overwhelmed about the inheritance and due to being quite compulsive with money in the past i was quite scared of coming off UC without a job etc.

I hadnt worked since early 2017 and i will share that my mental health really went down hill between 2017 - 2021. 

So after recieving the inheritance i took some advice about how to try and manage things.

A friend supported me and helped me get a job, which i have been doing since early july 2024, its been very stressful at times but im just about coping with it, although it takes a massive amount of my mental energy just to do a basic job.

That a bit of the story of where iam, ive been panicking since working as i have still recieved UC in various amounts due to wages, i thought it would just stop and i could sort out the period between feb and july. The whole thing is causing me a set back and i dont know how to sort it without bringing a lot more stress on myself..

I just had a look and id have to back pay many thousands.. since feb 2024.

Am i going to be in trouble, i havent frauded anybody, its just been so many changes in a short space of time and dealing with it all has me very consumed. 

I hope someone can help

Alice_Holt

Have you told UC about your savings, and your earnings?

Have you told ESA that you are working?

If not then you need to do this immediately.


You will, obviously, have an overpayment to repay. Presumably you will be able to  settle this out of your savings? 

If you initiate contact there is less chance of the DWP considering fraud action.


It is vital to update the DWP with any C of C - it's your responsibility as part of receiving benefits.

If you are in receipt of CT support, you also need to contact your LA urgently.

swesty212

I've messaged on my journal to explain thing's, so hopefully someone can help me complete what i need to do.

in July a friend helped me report i started work.

it looks like over the last 2 months I've recieved lesser amounts of UC which includes the esa, and one month I recieved nothing due to wages.

I was ill last month and my job doesn't pay sick until after 6 months so I'm due another payment of UC...

I no longer get council tax support etc.

What is CT support?

swesty212

Sorry CT is council tax

poppy12345

When you received the money into your bank you should have reported the changes. Your UC would then have ended due to capital of more than £16,000. Do you still have more than £16,000 or has it reduced to below that?

If you're claiming New style ESA as well, this isn't mean tested and not affected by capital. However, you mention that you're working, if you're working 16 hours or more per week there wouldn't] be any entitlement to ESA because that would be above the permitted work rules. 

You mention no longer receiving CTR because you started working in July. When you received the inheritance in Feb did you also report the changes to your local Authority? If you didn't then I'm afraid you'll also have an overpayment for CT too, which will need to be repaid back. If you haven't already rang them then I'd advise you to do that.