Hi, 👋 just joined - Inheritance to buy a home

Sunflower15

Hi, I’m just wondering if anyone has been in my position. I live in my Mum’s house, we lived together the last 3 years and she passed away last summer sadly.

I’m under a lot of pressure re housing as the house needs to be sold to distribute her estate. I’m very grateful that also means I will receive some funds from the house sale and it’s always been the intention - of my Mum and myself - to hopefully buy a little home once and for all. After a decade renting homes and having all kinds of issues that impacted my health.

I understand that as I’m on means tested benefits plus PIP that any funds will be seen as capital. I intend though to buy something at the same time the house is sold. As I won’t have anywhere to live and have particular needs and so need to find somewhere asap to buy.

I am now scared that it would be considered as ‘deprivation of assets’ - even though I need a home! What are the chances of this and not therefore being able to finally buy a secure home that is mine?

Also at what point do I inform dwp that these are my plans? Probate has only just been granted. My sibling has been pressing to get it on the market and she’s already had pre approval on a mortgage. I know she is in a sticky situation financially so needs this to happen quickly. So I understand. It’s all just a lot of pressure.

poppy123456

Sorry for your loss. To be clear, are you actually currently living in the house that you plan to sell? I'm asking because you also mentioned renting homes with your mum for 10 years.

Sunflower15

Hi, thank you 🙏🏻 I do live in my Mums house (now part of her estate, or the entirety of it in fact), I have lived here for 3 years, we lived together, and BEFORE that I rented for ten years, sorry that wasn’t very clear :)

Sunflower15

And yes the house has to be sold to settle the estate and fulfil the Will.

poppy123456

Thank you. This makes it much easier for you. Once the property is sold the money from it can be disregarded for 6 months sometimes longer, if you plan on buying another property. You must report this to UC once the house is sold and you have the money in your bank account and then a decision maker will disregard it.

You maybe asked for proof that you're planning on buying another property to live in.

Sunflower15

Thank you so much for this information. I spoke to CAB yesterday about another issue (I am being assessed financially for my care from the council) and this issue came up in the process but they weren’t sure and were going to get advice and come back to me mid next week. So I have been extremely anxious. It’s such a difficult time with grief and anything else is just adding to it. So I really appreciate your reply and putting my mind at rest a bit! Thanks :)