Hi, my name is eilishandliam! Does the money we have from DLA count as ours?

eilishandliam
eilishandliam Online Community Member Posts: 3 Listener
edited October 2021 in PIP, DLA, ADP & AA
Hi
we are working parents with 3 children in receipt of high rate DLA (care and mobility). While we have been working we have always seen these benefits as “their” money and apart from using the motability scheme for a WAV and car have tried to save as much as possible for their future needs.

Recently we have found life a little more difficult and are considering working less or perhaps stop to focus on being carers. Does the money we have saved from their DLA count as “ours” ( significantly more than £16k) as far as benefits are concerned? We never set up a separate bank account or anything for the DLA.

Thanks for any help or pointers where we can check this out.

Comments

  • Ross_Alumni
    Ross_Alumni Scope alumni Posts: 7,611 Championing
    Hello @eilishandliam

    Welcome to the forum, it's lovely to see you join us and I hope you enjoy being a part of the community.

    Sorry to hear you haven't been able to receive an answer yet, I just wanted to let you know that I have moved your discussion over to our DLA category and slightly altered the title so that others know what your question is.
  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Online Community Member Posts: 64,456 Championing
    HI,
    As the money is in a bank account in your name then it will your money. This means you won't be able to any means tested benefits such as Universal Credit. Do you currently claim tax credits?
  • eilishandliam
    eilishandliam Online Community Member Posts: 3 Listener
    Hi

    Thanks for the comments. We do get some tax credits, the disability part but reduced due to our combined earnings.

    I think we have always just felt it was their money and if it is considered ours which stops us getting benefits if we stop work because of our caring responsibilities that this is a bit unfair. 

    In the end being unpaid carers is not some sort of lifestyle choice and saves the government money in so many other ways.

    Thanks again.

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