Hi, my name is SallyAnne12345! My issue concerns a Lady with Disabilities who lives alone and has...
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Hello
My issue concerns a Lady with Disabilities who lives alone and has been working part-time for several years topping up her salary with UC disability element.
She has been working from home for past 3 years with equipment. She has however been signed off as unfit for past few months. It looks like She will not be returning to work.
She has just applied for ill health early retirement and this process will take time before she knows the outcome.
She has also in recent times been bereaved of her parents and after the death of her father in late 2024 she is one of the named beneficiaries in the will.
As inheritance constitutes capital I understand this would have to be declared to DWP and may terminate her benefits.
She owns her home and has managed to keep up with bills on her part-time earnings.
However the house isin disrepair.
As She is thehomeowner house maintenance and repairs are her responsibility.
She does not claim any housing or council tax benefits.
Can a case be made for the inheritance to go towards essential house repairs to make the house safe secure and habitable.
There is much evidence of dampness, several roof leaks and general disrepair.
Adjustments are required e.g. an accessible bath, raised toilet..
With costs of repair work so high these days, I feel it is unlikely all of the essential repairs and adjustments could be covered by the inheritance so it would be a case of assessing the greatest and most vital needs.
Do you have expertise in this area?
Comments
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If the inheritance takes her total capital to more than £16,000 then UC will stop. Once it drops below that level she can reclaim. I'd advise her to keep receipts for when she does reclaim. Only a decision maker can decide whether it's deprivation of capital but I would say unlikely if it's essential repairs to her home.
As she's been working she can look at claiming New style ESA, if she's worked in tax years 2022/23 and 2023/24 and has the correct NI contributions. She would need class 1 NI contributions for this. The class 3 from her UC will not entitle her to NsESA.
This benefit isn't means tested so capital will not affect the amount she maybe entitled to.
Please also note that even if her UC doesn't end, if she has a pension income in the future from ill health retirement then this will be deducted in full from any UC entitlement.
For New style ESA pension income of up to £85/week is ignored. For every £1 over that amount the ESA is deducted by 50p/week.
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