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

“the DWP aren't bastards in this respect, I had another case where they were happy to consider a couple of grand spent on a holiday in Spain reasonable”

So you think it’s reasonable for the taxpayer to subsidise people to the tune of a couple of thousand so they can go on holiday? No wonder our balance of payments deficit is so huge.

Don’t worry about that. Just post your bank details on here and all the tax payers will work out what we owe you and do a mass transfer.

Not true. You can will money away from a spouse and plenty of people have done.

You won’t need UC. You move, get the kids into school, then look for a job. Once working you pay for your cosmetic upgrades.

That was already covered by someone else if had read the thread. I just gave another reason why it may not go direct to spouse.

So, you’re making a personal choice about where you live, but you expect the rest of us to pay you for that?

I just can’t get my head around the lack of self-respect that your thinking indicates. I’d be ashamed to be taking benefits in your situation.

You don’t move for a personal reason without a job or school for your DC and expect those of us who are working to pay for you.

I moved from ESA to UC last year and wasn't asked to provide bank statements. Thats why I said I didn't think everyone had to.

God I really hope they discover ‘deprivation of assets’ here. Heaven forbid you live in a house that’s not perfectly modern. I assume you also have no mortgage

Im sick to death of working full time and paying taxes to see the abuse of the system. You’re not ‘in need’ - just completely and utterly work shy. Get a job.

Is anyone honestly really surprised by this? It's exactly how many people view benefits - as an entitlement by which to pay for their lifestyle choices. Surely you must know that?

Inheriting money. Buying a house. Claiming benefits. The world has turned on its axis

They will know you inherited because you have to be honest with them. And if you're not, you will risk either huge fines or even jail for benefit fraud.

Surely it should be the day before? Poor OP!

If you are suspected of benefit fraud or error, the DWP can request targeted bank statements and financial records. They don't just take our word at face value.

I had a similar case where a client had spent some of a fairly small inheritance on two holidays - total cost was about £3K if I remember correctly.
DWP decision maker decided it was not deprivation of capital because the client did not know that deprivation of capital was a thing so didn't meet the "primary purpose" of reducing capital to maintain eligibility for benefits.

Gotta be ragebait surely……………….

How about you get a job?

Read this after being up all night dealing a 3 year olds nightmares and having to do a teary nursery (the day costs £100) run prior to an hour and a half commute and 9 hour day. I hope you get nothing from the government and have to go out to work like I do. Not a penny from the government or parents/inheritance and half of my work is for dear old HMRC. Makes you sick.

She had to come off benefits when inherited. So she's already used to tax payers picking up the tab...

I suppose that it was in the father's will, but having to move to be near mother suggests the parents were divorced anyway.

Agree with your other points

Absolutely agree. Spend the inheritance on your living costs if you can’t or won’t get a job. Why should I work so you can buy a house and do it up???

Keep every single receipt, every single one for all the work and don’t pay for any single thing with cash

its not a matter of time but what you e done with the money and whether you can prove what you e spent.

id put together a spread sheet of the work and dates

then keep details of your living expenses and receipts

also keep any receipts for furniture

you will possibly be assessed and whether you get benefits or not will be down to another human

spend sensibly and keep a good track of your living expenses

it’s not a given you will get benefits at £16000, likely and easier if you can show you’ve not purposely reduced your savings to claim benefits

and what you think is reasonable might be different from benefits officer

My kitchen is 50 years old. I can’t reach the units because they are too high for me. Nevertheless, nobody else is going to pay for me to update it.

I have never had anywhere near £60k in my life and never will.

You're right - I was thinking about having to declare an inheritance or any other income change while you are currently claiming, which of course isn't the case here. Perhaps this is what OP is really asking - how long before a windfall no longer needs to be declared, before you can start claiming UC again.
This is a useful article on the subject. It says that usually bank record checks will be done for the past 3-6 months when you start claiming, but may go back further in some circumstances. Also has some advice about what is OK to use an inheritance for without counting as deprivation of assets.

benefitcheck.co.uk/guides/can-i-spend-inheritance-before-claiming-universal-credit

surely they already know as op said she came off benefits due to the inheritance.

True