inheritence

dmhm36

Hi all, I`m new to here and just wondering if anyone can give me some advice.

I am on ESA income related and PIP I separated from my partner over 8 years ago and still live in the house with my 19 yr old who is at university. There is no morgage on the house and he allowed me to stay in it until my son finished his degree. Since making that agreement 8 years ago my mobility and health problems have steadidly gone down hill. Two years ago I applied to the council for a wet room and some doors to be lowered to help with easier access around my bungalow and they are at present installing that now. My question is my ex partner has offered to take the payment of the heritence that I will be given as a full and final payment for his share of the house and get the deeds/ house transfered into my name. This seems to be the best solution for me to be able to stay in the house as especially as its been adapted to my needs and I would find it difficult finding another in the area to suit my needs. I have lived in the same street for almost 40 years and have become reclusive since my separation, I have suffered depression for well over 35 years along with social anxiety and would find it very traumatic to be wrenched out of my home. Would DWP allow me to do this if it was all done through a solicitor and who would be the dicision maker at DWP do I have a case officer there ?

Thank you in advance

poppy123456

Once the inheritance goes into your bank you will need to report the changes to ESA. If it’s more than £16,000 then your Income Related ESA will stop. If any part of it is contributions based that will continue as normal.

The issue you have here is that if all of your ESA is Income Related you will not be able to reclaim it once you buy that share of the house. It would be Universal Credit you will need to claim.

If part of it is contributions based then you could reclaim the income Related top up once your capital drops below £16,000. If a decision maker agrees that buying that share is not treated as deprivation of capital.

I can’t tell you who the decision maker will be, sorry.

Albus_Scope

Hey there @dmhm36 and welcome to the community. 😊

I'm sorry to hear about the uncertainty with your home, I understand how difficult that must be. I can see Poppy is already helping you out so I dont want to interrupt, I just wanted to pop in and say a quick hi.

dmhm36

thanks everyone I will write to them and explain my predicament and will let you know the outcome xx