Closing UC claim-Other vs Making a change- money/investments

captrico

Anyone ever use the UC portal to close a claim?

Spoonie_Turtle

I can't really help with the UC questions, but PIP is not means-tested at all so nothing about your UC claim will affect it.

Newcad

captrico said:

I just cleared a cheque with my bank after a inherited house finally sold. It wasn't in my name during the whole FOR SALE process, probate was granted  a year ago, and now my savings are above the 16K limit for UC.  Before this my savings were in the 3k range for quite a while......

  Im really not interested in disclosing all my financial details, the empty house, the will, etc.  I have too much liquid assets and basically want to shut it down without them asking this and that.  The house was not an easy sell because of the construction type so it drag

Appreciate any feedback

Any feedback?

You are basically admitting there  that you have been "hiding" possible assets and as such your UC claim may be fraudulent. (And now you hope to 'run away' without the DWP finding out).

What do you want or expect anyone to say differently?

You might be alright and be within benefit rules; but - without a thorough evaluation of those assets and your answer about 'this and that' - nobody could possibly say.

Northern_Wanderer

I'm sorry to say but I beleive that if you inherited the house, it becomes your capital as soon as you became the beneficiary of the property, not when you get the money from the sale. You may wish to seek advice on this. I suspect you will be asked questions and perhaps a decision maker will change your award and state that you were not entitled to UC from a particular date. You may be expected to to repay your UC overpayments. 

The property may have been able to be disregarded for a 6 month period or longer whilst up for sale, but you have not declared it to UC, I assume? Do you intend to purchase a property for you to live in with the proceeds?

captrico

Newcad said:

captrico said:

I just cleared a cheque with my bank after a inherited house finally sold. It wasn't in my name during the whole FOR SALE process, probate was granted  a year ago, and now my savings are above the 16K limit for UC.  Before this my savings were in the 3k range for quite a while......

  Im really not interested in disclosing all my financial details, the empty house, the will, etc.  I have too much liquid assets and basically want to shut it down without them asking this and that.  The house was not an easy sell because of the construction type so it drag

Appreciate any feedback

Any feedback?

You are basically admitting there  that you have been "hiding" possible assets and as such your UC claim may be fraudulent.

What do you want or expect anyone to say differently?

Hows that hiding?  Youre allowed to have an inherited house. If you sell it then you have to report the liquid asset which is what i will do.  Im not obliged to give every detail of what was in the will and the jewellery box. There is no "hiding" anything.  My cash on hand has been below anything they would consider reportable.  Im just not wanting to give my life story explaining the whole reason why im closing my UC claim.    Your answer is exactly why i dont want to explain my reasons for closing the claim.   

Northern_Wanderer

https://www.rightsnet.org.uk/forums/viewthread/21262/ You could take a look at this thread (post from 27th June) If you haven't declared the property that you inherited, it does seem like benefit fraud. Hopefully the DWP will do their job properly on this one. 

captrico

Northern_Wanderer said:

I'm sorry to say but I beleive that if you inherited the house, it becomes your capital as soon as you became the beneficiary of the property, not when you get the money from the sale. You may wish to seek advice on this. I suspect you will be asked questions and perhaps a decision maker will change your award and state that you were not entitled to UC from a particular date. You may be expected to to repay your UC overpayments. 

The property may have been able to be disregarded for a 6 month period or longer whilst up for sale, but you have not declared it to UC, I assume? Do you intend to purchase a property for you to live in with the proceeds?

Ni i didnt declare it because i didnt own it. The deed was still in my parents name until it exchanged hands just recently. My brother is also a beneficiary and lives abroad.  The 6 months is grey area, because that can be extended if you have tried selling it and have had hang-ups. Which i did on a few occasions.  From what i have read you only declare any financial gains that are easy accessible (as in cash) and if anything the house was a financial burden for me since i was lumped with 2x bills between my flat and the house.  Im glad it sold because the council had just billed me (the estate) for a 2nd home rate of £5000.    

Newcad

I realise that my answer is exactly what you don't want to hear.

It's still correct though whether you want to hear it or not.

If you want to claim Income Related  benefits (such as UC) then you have to be open about your income and your assets.

It's as simple as that.

If/when you claim DWP benefits then you have to disclose your finances; all of them.

Not disclosing = hiding.

The DWP don't like that.

Northern_Wanderer

Please see H1174 & H1175 of ADM

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/65d336b3e1bdec2be1322238/admh1.pdf

Northern_Wanderer

captrico said:

Northern_Wanderer said:

I'm sorry to say but I beleive that if you inherited the house, it becomes your capital as soon as you became the beneficiary of the property, not when you get the money from the sale. You may wish to seek advice on this. I suspect you will be asked questions and perhaps a decision maker will change your award and state that you were not entitled to UC from a particular date. You may be expected to to repay your UC overpayments. 

The property may have been able to be disregarded for a 6 month period or longer whilst up for sale, but you have not declared it to UC, I assume? Do you intend to purchase a property for you to live in with the proceeds?

Ni i didnt declare it because i didnt own it. The deed was still in my parents name until it exchanged hands just recently. My brother is also a beneficiary and lives abroad.  The 6 months is grey area, because that can be extended if you have tried selling it and have had hang-ups.  

You were the beneficiary ( I imagine since the death) and should have reported it to UC at the time. There is no grey area on the 6 months, it's pretty clear, yes it can be extended, but only if you have declared it, which you have not. This appears to be benefit fraud.

Northern_Wanderer

captrico said

If you sell it then you have to report the liquid asset which is what i will do.  Im not obliged to give every detail of what was in the will and the jewellery box. There is no "hiding" anything.  My cash on hand has been below anything they would consider reportable.  Im just not wanting to give my life story explaining the whole reason why im closing my UC claim.    Your answer is exactly why i dont want to explain my reasons for closing the claim. 

You don't appear to be keen to report the liquid asset as you just want to close your claim, not give a reason and not be asked any questions. It is your responsibility to report changes of circumstances to UC within a month of the change, that is what you agreed to when you made your claim for UC.