Does regular help from my dad affect Universal Credit entitlement?

[notincome]

I get UC , every week my dad takes me food shopping and pays because he wants to help me out. He also will do things like pay for my petrol, any car repairs MOT etc and if the dc need new clothes or shoes he will come and pay.

My friend was asking about it as she works in the Tesco we go to each week. She said I’m risking a lot as it’s regular so it’s income ?? But surely it’s not? He’s just helping me out ?

Technically that is extra income so tread carefully.

I'd go to a different Tesco...

Is he giving you the money or just paying for these things? You’re allowed gifts from family.

No it isn’t.

Family can gift money. It will be capital / savings but no affect unless it brings your total savings over 6k. However if you do have a claim review it probably will be questioned but just explain

Of course it's not income.

If he was paying the money into your account then maybe but him paying for your shopping in Tesco-how would anyone know?

He pays on his card

Start going to Asda instead.

Tell your Tesco friend to stick her clubcard where the sun don't shine

If he is putting the money in your account then they may ask. I had a review recently and they questioned a couple of transactions (bank transfers from relatives to pay for an event that I had booked). All easily resolved but if he is paying with his card then they wouldn't even know i suppose. I dont know if they might ask about the lack of regular food outgoings 🤷‍♀️

Surely that's just family giving you gifts. I don't seem how it can be classed as income. It's just family helping you.
But I'm not s benefits lawyer if you are concerned about it you should also CAB or DWP helpline

This is not your income. This is your father choosing to help you out. Your friend is wrong.

I’m not sure that’s your friend OP, tread carefully. I’d probably find a different Tesco tbh

It's fine as he's buying it for you and not going through your bank account.
Just make sure any regular gifts are cash.

It's not going into your bank. I think you're fine.

DWP don't employ drones to follow you around OP.

Well every little helps...

@notincome Are you working at all? As in UC is a top-up?

I would think that it was just family gifts so shouldn’t impact but don’t know for certain. The only thing I would say is I would not trust your friend. She might have genuinely being trying to warn you in case it was against the UC rules but people can be very funny about “benefit users” and she might report you for it (prob no case). I would shop elsewhere and ensure you don’t discuss your private business with anyone. Your DF is lovely to help you in this way and I know from my own experience how helpful it is even just to know the children’s shoes and seasonal clothing is paid for. Keep it private though.

Gifts from family is absolutely fine
it’s only earned income and if you go over 6k in savings that they are interested in

but do not trust your friend or anyone knowing you get UC as people can get very jealous

if your not sure go over the the benefits and the dwp sections of Reddit
then have dwp workers that will reasure you that money gifts from family are absolutely fine

It’s absolutely fine. When I was on UC, my mum gave me £235 every month. She transferred it into my bank account and they saw it when they did reviews, asked what it was, I said gift from my mum and they always said that was absolutely fine, family are allowed to help out.

She can have regular gifts into her bank. It makes no difference and doesn’t affect her claim in any way until she goes over £6k in savings.