the £6000 savings limit

pereto

Im worried that as I dont really spend very much of my uc payments (im currently waiting for my wca) as i live with my parents and dont go out. that my money will keep building up in my account and then they will close my claim as i have over £6000. Then i would have to spend some money and start all over again with a new claim.

I also have the £600 final bonus for the help to save scheme being paid in in january plus the full amoun saved over the 4 years of £2400 as they are closing my helptosave as its only allowed for 4 years for each person.

Plus there was the help to save payment last november and then this new one in February. Im really worried and anxious about this, i shouldnt be penalised for not spending my uc money and doing the helptosave that I was encouraged to by them before.

poppy123456

Your UC won't end if you have savings of more then £6,000 but less than £16,000. For every £250 or part thereof over £6,000 there's a £4.35/month deduction. If you do have savings of more than the lower limit then you need to report the changes and tell them this.

Do you have any debt that needs to be paid off? Paying off debt is not treated as deprivation of capital when claiming UC.

pereto said:

i shouldnt be penalised for not spending my uc money and doing the helptosave that I was encouraged to by them before.

Unfortunately, any UC payments that are unspent are treated as capital at the end of the following assessment period in which is was paid for. All savings, even in help to save is treated as savings, even before you withdrawn that money.

Kimi87

UC is a means tested benefit I'm afraid. 

All cost of living payments are disregarded as capital - so you can add those up and subtract from your money, to work out the figure for your eligible capital.