Inheritance and Universal Credit — Scope | Disability forum
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Inheritance and Universal Credit

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Jacczi
Jacczi Community member Posts: 1 Listener
in Universal Credit (UC)
Hi, I am in receipt of universal credit. I am about to be given my inheritance but this will take me over the savings limit. My Nan left this money to me to help pay for the specialist things I will need in the future.I obviously dont want to lose my benefits and have to live solely on my inheritance.
If I come off UC just before I get my inheritance, then move the money out of my account and give it to someone to look after for me, then reclaim, will the DWP be able to find out what I have done.
I know that morally this isn't right but thats another matter. I just need to know if it can be done.
Thanks 
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  • janer1967
    janer1967 Community member Posts: 21,964 Disability Gamechanger
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    Hi there 

    What you are suggesting is fraud and I would not recommend 

    It's not fair to claim benefits If you are not entitled to do so and have finance to support yourself 

    I also would be careful saying this on a forum as you never know who is reading this 
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  • MarcKeirle
    MarcKeirle Community member Posts: 12 Connected
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    From what I've read online myself recently due to an inheritance coming my way soon ,If its over 16000 you won't receive any UC. anything above 6000 is means tested up to that 16k mark , not worth trying to cheat the system they can request bank statements at any time they choose and likely check your bank account for suspicious activity. Do the right thing and declare anything you receive.
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  • Tori_Scope
    Tori_Scope Scope Posts: 12,492 Disability Gamechanger
    edited July 2021
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    Welcome to the community @Jacczi. If you failed to disclose your inheritance, this could be seen as benefit fraud and moving it with the intention of keeping your entitlement to UC would likely be classed as deprivation of capital. You can read more about deprivation of capital on the Entitledto website. 

    [Moderator note: Post has been edited for clarification]
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  • Jean Eveleigh
    Jean Eveleigh Scope Member Posts: 185 Pioneering
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    you could look into getting the money paid into a trust fund - https://www.scope.org.uk/advice-and-support/leaving-money-to-disabled-person-in-will-trust/ You would need specialist legal advice on this from someone who is competent is medical trust funds and benefits.
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  • woodbine
    woodbine Community member Posts: 11,628 Disability Gamechanger
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    No one on here would ever suggest that anyone commits benefit fraud and you should be advised that if you try to you will be found out and suffer the consequences, which could be a fine or a prison sentence, both resulting in a criminal record.
    The trust fund idea is a little late in the day as it seems like the money has already been left to you. 
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  • calcotti
    calcotti Community member Posts: 10,010 Disability Gamechanger
    edited July 2021
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    Jean Eveleigh said:
    you could look into getting the money paid into a trust fund - https://www.scope.org.uk/advice-and-support/leaving-money-to-disabled-person-in-will-trust/ You would need specialist legal advice on this from someone who is competent is medical trust funds and benefits.
    That would still be deprivation of capitaL. It would be different if the will had been written to leave the money in trust.
    Information I post is for England unless otherwise stated. Rules may be different in other parts of UK.
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  • foryoureyesonly
    foryoureyesonly Community member Posts: 21 Connected
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    This government has no mercy better be as honest as you can be and not cheat the system. 
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  • Adrian_Scope
    Adrian_Scope Posts: 10,938 Scope online community team
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    Closed, pending review in the morning.
    Community Manager
    Scope
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  • Tori_Scope
    Tori_Scope Scope Posts: 12,492 Disability Gamechanger
    edited July 2021
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    We've taken the decision to keep this thread closed, as it's been explained to you in multiple comments now that this could be classed fraud if you didn't declare your inheritance @Jacczi and moving the money would likely be seen as deprivation of capital.

    Once your capital goes below £16,000, you can reclaim for universal credit. You can read about the rules on savings on the turn2us website.

    [Moderator note: Edited post for clarification]
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This discussion has been closed.

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