PIP backpay (and ESA)

Jurph

Hi!

I won my PIP tribunal in August and received a large sum in backpay. More money than I've ever seen! It was 18 months worth.

I understand that this sum doesn't effect my Income Related ESA for 1 year. It that from when it went in the bank or from the tribunal date?

Also, I gave half of it to my Mum as payment for debt. (We agreed she'd get half of the backpay, whatever it was and call it quits, I actually gave her more than I owed). Do the DWP look at this as deprivation of capital seeing as I gave some away? 

I'm scared to buy any luxuries in case they think I'm wasting it.

Thanks!

PS. I'm really happy this is my biggest problem 

affii1993

It’s your spend and do whatever, but one advice always keep saving so in the future something like this happen you can rely on your saving 

poppy123456

Hi,

It's completely disregarded for 1 year and what you do with it during that year is entirely your choice. If at the end of that year you have more than £6,000 in savings, you'll need to contact DWP.

Jurph

Thanks @poppy123456 and @affii1993

I feel I'm having to justify my spending at the moment thinking they'd ask why I purchased such luxuries.

I just didn't want it to come back and bite me. I'm keeping some in savings but want to enjoy a nice Christmas too.

poppy123456

You don't have to justify anything because it's completely disregarded for those 52 weeks. You don't need to keep receipts, you can do exactly what you want with it.

Jurph

Thanks!