Hi, my name is mickeymoush!

mickeymoush

Hello

Albus_Scope

Heya @mickeymoush and a big welcome from me too!

It looks like you'd accidentally posted your discussion on your profile, so not many people will be able to see it.  Did you want me to post it on here for you? 

mickeymoush

Yes please 

poppy123456

I just read what you posted on your profile so will reply to that. 

When claiming Universal Credit because it's means tested then you and your wife would have been claiming as a couple. Entitlement would have been based on your joint circumstances. As you had capital of more than £16,000 then it's correct that your UC would end. This is because you now have the means to support yourself with your inheritance.

Once your capital drops below £16,000 you can both reclaim UC. There will be a deduction of £4.35/month for every £250 or part thereof over that amount. 

Your wife's carers allowance and your PIP will not be affected and will continue as normal. 

mickeymoush

Thanks for your reply. It seems the system is flawed. Work hard all your life then when you get a disability you are on your own

poppy123456

The savings rule applies to all means tested benefits like UC, council tax reduction and all the old benefits such as housing benefit etc etc. 

I don’t believe there’s any flaws in that and it’s not because you have a disability, it applies to everyone claiming means tested benefits. Thankfully PIP and carers allowance are not means tested so they continue. 

If you have any debt to pay off you can pay that and it will not affect your UC. Paying off debt is allowed for UC and will not be treated as deprivation of capital. 

mickeymoush

Thank you again for your knowledge of the system 
yes i do understand that im lucky to inherited some money ,I am a worrier and procrastanate about the future having worked in construction for 45 years my body dont work like it used to im riduled with arthritas and ankolysing spondallitas ,and yes i do own my own home but for no thought of my own i will proberly have to rely on the benefit system for the rest of my life and yes im gratefull for what im awarded but it only covers basic living it doesnt allow for things like house insurance and maintaning a home  so what im saying is you work hard bring up a family do what are parents encouraged us to do to then see everything we worked for to slowly slip away from you 
so if im am lucky to live a few more years im stuck with a home that i cant afford to run and downsizing is not a option as i have paid for all the adaptions on my 1 bedroom bungalow 

poppy123456

Had you claimed New style ESA when you finished work then that would have continued when you received the inheritance because it’s not means tested. 

Unfortunately when you claim a means tested benefits capital affects it and that’s the law.