Inheritance & UC

andy1_p

Hello, 
I will be getting some inheritance and ha e been worried now about the issue thus will cause with my universal credit payments. Obviously after 16k one is no longer entitled to UC.
My house has been needing a new roof and rendering due to damp issues, wind damage and deterioration and I've been trying to save for years to have it done, only I have been just breaking even with income/expenses for at least 2 years. I want to use the inheritance money for the house repairs which will likely use up almost all my inheritance.
Will I be able to reclaim UC or will they take this as "notional capital" and refuse it?
Thanks.

NedS

Yes, when you receive the inheritance, your UC claim will end assuming it takes your capital over £16k

If you spend the inheritance on house repairs and then reclaim UC once the capital has fallen below £16k, they may look at what you have spent the money on to determine if there is any deprivation of capital. Essential repairs to your house to prevent water ingress would seem essential to me and reasonable for you to spend money on that, so I would not imagine you will have an issue with that.

Another option may be to take out a loan now to do the house repairs, and then repay the loan once you receive your inheritance. Repayment of debt is never classed as deprivation of capital on UC.

Robbie64

As a backup, in case of any problems with deprivation of capital (although there shouldn't be), take some pictures of the roof and of any dampness problems you have in the house. This will help show that the spending was essential. if there was to be a problem, with deprivation being a consideration, you'll have the pictures to show the spending was necessary and that you had been unable to rectify the problem earlier because you previously didn't have enough funds available to do so, until you got the inheritance. Obviously, then also take some pitcures after the work has been completed.

born_again

Could also get co to provide a report on the work required.