Esa and getting money from inheritance

nadekrkr

Hi I’ve recently inherited 30k from my grandad and I’m wondering if there’s any way around avoiding losing my esa benefits. Thanks 

poppy123456

If your ESA is Income Related then because you have savings of more than £16,000 then entitlement will end. No, unfortunately, there's no way around this. If you already have the money in your bank account then you need to report the changes to ESA.

If you're claiming help with the rent through housing benefit then this will also end, as well as any council tax reduction you maybe claiming. Again, there's no way around this.

If any part of your ESA is contributions based or New style then neither of those are affected by any savings.

2oldcodgers

nadekrkr said:

Hi I’ve recently inherited 30k from my grandad and I’m wondering if there’s any way around avoiding losing my esa benefits. Thanks 

Losing your benefits is inevitable if they are means tested. Surely the answer is to live off the inheritance at the same rate as your benefits were. That way you are legitimately reducing the capital and once it gets below £16,000 you can reapply for them.