Gifts of money for Christmas and birthdays when on UC - surely it’s ok ?

[ThisIsokaay]

My dad always gives me a gift of money on my birthday and Christmas (quiet a large amount but not enough to take me over any savings limits - £500 for each) plus gives each of the dc £250 on their birthdays and Christmas.

I was talking to a friend today and we were chatting about Christmas and as my dc have birthdays in oct, dec and mines also in dec I said how my dads birthday money always helps - she said that’s not allowed and I should be declaring it as income - but it’s not ?

Just stop talking money with people, this is how you get jealous people reporting you for fraud, even if it's not.

I’d echo that; keep it confidential. They’re not allowed to investigate your finances without good reason.

As far as I know the limit you can have in savings is £6000 before it affects your benefits so, although I’m not an expert, I’m sure your friend was wrong

Don't discuss money with people.

Just don't discuss it.

We had just been talking about Christmas she had said to me that each year her dc dad gives extra maintenance and that helps her and I’d said about my dad, I didn’t think she would have an issue she was really pissed off ! I don’t see how extra maintenance from a father is any different to a gift of money from a family member

Yes you’re right !! I won’t be doing it again

I don’t know the rules for benefits, but for inheritance tax purposes, gifts of that size would be disregarded. Same for income tax, I believe - and I rather suspect it’s the same for benefit claims too.

Geez, you’ve got to be a real mean spirited so and so to resent a friend being given some birthday money from her dad. Watch out for her.

a close friend (close enough to know you’re on UC and to be talking about the amounts your father gifts you)… and yet she gets pissed off. Are you sure?

Is she In Receipt Of UC?

My thoughts exactly. I'm assuming she isn't on UC?

Yes she is we’ve had lots of chats about similar in the past , more her than me tbh about her maintenance it’s the first time I’ve said this much about my finances and I won’t be saying any more as she was really annoyed ! I said it’s not income , and if it’s checked then it’s clearly on birthdays and then Christmas each year (but I’m hoping she doesn’t report me just as I could do without the hassle !)

Well I’m from quite a wealthy family and sometimes back when I was hard up my Dad would transfer a few thousand or have items delivered to my home like new furniture a garden shed or once he paid for carpets. Never see the bloke but he occasionally treats me to something and I’m grateful. I’d never think to call up UC and say ‘my Dad bought me a fridge’ or ‘Dad sorted out some flooring for the sitting room’ do you want to reduce my payment?
I’m sure they don’t care.
so a few hundred for your Xmas box is neither here nor there.
Definitely don’t tell this odd woman though.

She is ! Often says about her maintenance being disregarded (which I hadn’t really given a second thought to till today when she’s had a go at me and there’s not much difference between maintenance and a gift ?!)

How spiteful can people be? If you received a kitchen item for Christmas from your parents to that value, no one would comment but if it's cash, then the green eyed monsters come out. I think it's terribly petty to comment. It's Christmas. Most people get gifts or cash from family members. Best thing is never to discuss these things.

so you have talked openly about finances before, and holidays? Cars? Your living accom? And has she ever conveyed jealously?

Gifts from family and friends are ignored as income by UC.

It will count towards your savings though. But as long as your total savings isn't over £6000 it won't affect your UC at all.

medium.com/adviser/universal-credit-and-the-money-of-others-f9de895072d5

No not at all, she’s probably told me a lot more about her finances this is one of the few times I’ve said anything about mine - it seems to have just annoyed her

But you never mention going on holiday? Or something that involves money

has she ever been jealous before about your life?

Haha whats ironic is she should be declaring the maintenance and any increase. Gifts are not income, you havent earnt it and you dont need to declare it.