Inheritance

celt34

hi folks, I’ve been on ESA for many years. My dad passed at beginning of year and I’m just about to receive inheritance money. I’ve been told over £16,000 my ESA will stop and I have to tell them everything I spend. Then today someone asked me what kind of ESA I’m on, I dug out a letter which says contribution based so they said inheritance money won’t affect it. I’m so confused and have attached the letter to see if anyone can clarify for me, sorry for long post.

poppy123456

Hi,

Yes you're claiming Contributions based ESA and savings/capital aren't affected by this. However, if you claiming housing benefit or council tax reduction then these will be affected by savings/capital and the same rules apply, any savings over £16,000 and your housing benefit and council tax reduction will stop. You need to report any changes to your local council.

poppy123456

Unless of course your ESA money has changed since April and you now claim extra money for the Income related top up. I see that letter is changes up until 10th April 2018.

celt34

Thank you, I just found a more recent letter and it says the same so I’ll phone next week as I’m still supposed to inform them ?