Regular/irregular income from my mum while on LCWRA

AnnaPope

Hi all,
First time poster!

I am on universal credit limited capability for work related activity, and my landlord has increased my rent beyond what I get in universal credit. my mum has offered to top up the missing rent, let me use her card for food shopping and give me some money to cover essential bills for gas, electric, asda (food, cat food, bathroom and cleaning products), tv licence, and a £10 monthly topup on my phone.

I am wondering what is the best way to do it that won't put my universal credit into jeopardy as it would be a disaster if the lcwra I had to go to tribunal to be given was at risk. 

Does it matter who's card pays at asda for the shopping? The same goes for the gas and electric bill payments if they come out of her account by direct debit.

Crucially though, what do I do about the £280 she will be putting into my bank account to meet the higher rent each month? Will it be classed as regular income I have to tell them that will reduce the universal credit payment?

I suggested that she just put all of the money on prepay debit cards I can use so it just looks like she is spending her own money on my expenses without going through my bank account, is that illegal? 

I'm trying just to survive, my life hasn't changed and I've done nothing wrong. My family want to help but the social security system seems rigged to make me worse off when kind family are wanting to help.

Thank you

calcotti

Gifts from your mother  or other relatives will make no difference to your UC.

You could also try applying for a Discretionary Housing Payment from your local authority (although any payment is likely to be short term).

AnnaPope

I applied for a discretionary payment and gave them my bank statements when asked but have had no response yet, was only 5 weeks ago though.

I still havn't had the £150 council tax rebate yet which Brighton & Hove council say on one web page will be made by the end of May for people who pay council tax by direct debit (i do, and in band C), and on another page they say that they have up to September to make payment. On every page they have banners which say do not contact us about it, we will contact you. I literally have my June council tax payment going out tomorrow from the direct debit of £22 and it's going to bounce.

How much money can my mum put in before the council start refusing help from the bank statements they're getting? She's already put in £440 this month and that doesn't include the £150 I was supposed to get from the rebate by today.   I don't feel like I am in control of anything anymore

thank you for replying

calcotti

Gifts from your mother do not affect your UC. Your Council is likely to calculate your CTR based on the UC information so will also make no difference to CTR (although different councils have different rules so this may not be the case).

AnnaPope

Thank you again for your help. Finally I guess, to what extent can mum help me financially before it's not a gift?  would it be shooting ourselves in the foot if she just gave me a larger amount less regularly when I run out of money so I can keep on top of it myself over time, or would it make any difference if she gave me a set amount each week? i worry that it would look like job income if it's regular.

poppy123456

Gifts of money from your mum will not affect your UC as Calcotti has advised.

The only thing that will affect it is if you have a large sum of money of more than £6,000 on the last day of your assessment period. If this happens then your UC will reduce by £4.35 for every £250 or part there of over that amount. More than £16,000 and entitlement to UC ends.

janer1967

Hi there 

Lots of people.still haven't had the rebate me included though council did call me with query on Friday and said it will be this week 

They do have till Sept to pay it 

calcotti

AnnaPope said:

..to what extent can mum help me financially before it's not a gift?  

She’s giving you money - it’s a gift.
Money you receive but do not spend becomes capital. If you capital exceeds £6000 it will affect your UC as described by poppy.

AnnaPope

oh that's a great relief, thank you. its not savings or capital, it's a life raft 
thank you all for your time