How long after spending inheritance can I claim benefits again?

[Bunnyhunni6]

Hello, after buying my new house I’m left with around £60k to spend on what is needed work wise… I had to come off benefits when I inherited. But after my money has been spent I will need to claim again.. how long do I need to wait to be able to claim? Thank you

I haven’t even exchanged contracts yet… also only one school space. I need 3.

Yeah you’re cooked as the kids say. If you wilfully spend circa £60k doing up a house you have deprived yourself of assets. As a PP said about 4 years before you could claim again. I don’t understand how you think you should be allowed to decorate your house then rush to claim benefits. I am very in favour of a safety net for those who need it but come on !!

I had money over from a house sell and lived on that for 5 years before claiming benefits.
There was no way UC was going to pay out if I had spent it on redecorating and fannying around with repairs.

I drive. But not a lot I can do regarding school spaces. If I pick another school I will have to drive as can’t walk as it’s the next village on

@Bunnyhunni6 My kitchen is more than 30 years old. It's not great but I simply can't afford a new one.

Why should you be able to?

Also, how have you inherited when your mother is alive? Money goes directly to spouse, not child.

It's not essential for you to move to be near your mother, it's just a want.

You have children, they are your main responsibility - don't disrupt them and jeopardise their financial safety.

I can understand the electrics, but I don't see the problem with a 30 year old kitchen as long as it's functional.

0/10

In that case, stay where you are and your DM can move closer to you! Why have you given up your job without even moving?

You’re unlikely to be able to update the kitchen and then claim benefits. Spend some on the absolute essentials and then the rest you’ll have to live on. Best bet is to get a job before you move then you won’t need to be reliant on benefits.

Nothing wrong with a 30yo kitchen. I had a 45yo one once and it was functional so we lived with it until I could afford to replace (not by claiming benefits).

Catch yourself on and stop being a CF.

Shouldn't you have sorted a job and school before buying a house? If you knew you couldn't get a job you shouldn't have spent all that money on a house or at least seen if you were entitled to anything first?

Of course the father can leave money to his child in his will, regardless of whether the spouse is still alive

If you haven’t exchanged contracts your better off spending more of your inheritance to find a place that needs less work and costs more. The rules are tricky - you need to keep all receipts and it has to go to a decision maker to decide if necessary or not. Buying a house is not deprivation of capital.

Sounds like you should stay where you are with school places and job, and let your Mum move to be nearer you.

Or delay moving until a better time.

In terms of inheritance, can someone leave money to a child when it then leaves their spouse in financial trouble, reliant on benefits?

Surely that would count as deprivation of assets to the spouse?

Not saying it is in this situation, just wondering.

Otherwise it's worrying that OP has made sure they are going to spend right up to the limit of their inheritance as fast as possible.

You could end up with both OP and her mother dependent on the state when they both have housing assets and have arranged things so that their money has been spent.

Not too sure why everyone is up in arms about this.

Bunnyhunni6 is moving to look after her mother. If the mother needed outside help then that would fall on the shoulders of the NHS etc anc that would cost taxpayers more.

So why can’t you have a new kitchen and make your home comfortable for yourself and your children. It’s ultimately going to cost less than the alternative.

Do they not have jobs there?

She doesn't say she's going to look after her mother. There is no indication that her mother requires looking after - many don't.

What she says is that she's spending all her inheritance as fast as possible on things that are not strictly necessary and then she wants someone else to pay for her and her children.

That's why people are 'up in arms'

I know this is crazy but have you considered making your own money?

Parents may be divorced.

It seems to be that you are deliberately making life as difficult as possible for your children - who should come first. Moving to a place without a job, no school places for at least two kids - spending money on a house that needs work....

Op could also not update kitchen and use money to live off while looking for a job.

If you lived off benefits, divide your benefits figure by 60,000 and that will give you the number of weeks you can survive off your inheritance. Spend it wisely abd keep records because they will accuse you of deprivation of assets if you just spend it willy nilly.

Dumb question. Her parents could be divorced and single.