Benefit help, splitting up

SuperSonicDog

Hi I’d like some guidance, I’m at the point of splitting up with my partner and unsure how to proceed.

We currently have a property with a mortgage, if we sold it we’d probably have around 50k each. We currently don’t claim any benefits. If we did split would the 50k be seen as savings for the purposes of UC? Thanks for any advice.

HillStreetBlues

Who is living & who would live after septation in the property?

NedS

Yes, if you sold the property and had £50k each in savings, then you would not be entitled to claim means tested benefits.

If however, you used your £50k as a deposit for a new mortgaged property, and your remaining assets were below £16k, then you would be entitled to claim means-tested benefits.

TELLIT01

NedS said:

Yes, if you sold the property and had £50k each in savings, then you would not be entitled to claim means tested benefits.

If however, you used your £50k as a deposit for a new mortgaged property, and your remaining assets were below £16k, then you would be entitled to claim means-tested benefits.

Not necessarily true that the OP would lose access to means-tested benefit.  If they intend to use proceeds from the sale of the property to buy another property, the capital may be disregarded, initially for 6 months.

HillStreetBlues

TELLIT01 said:

  If they intend to use proceeds from the sale of the property to buy another property, the capital may be disregarded, initially for 6 months.

Only if it's currently their home, OP's needs to answer further questions as could be a joint rental property.

huckster

If main home has been sold and there is intention to buy another property using proceeds. For a UC Decision Maker to apply a disregard for 6 months for capital above £16k, they are going to want to see evidence of purchasing activities having commenced. E.g Estate Agent letter about property search, Solicitors conveyancing letters.