Windfall effect on DHSS and pensions

[Hughes 66]

I get help with rent and extra pension oap.I think i will be getting a windfall from a long lost will of my late brother.he died 20yrs ago.I believe I will get 17,000 �.Do I have to report this and will it stop my help.

[whyme]

Ithink that if you have over 2 - 3 thousand you are supposed to tell them, unless you can hide it in another bank account somewhere else.

[whyme]

Forgot to say Lucky You!! Hope whatever happens, you enjoy it!!

[maviscoull]

unfortunately yes......to both your questions. but as said in the post above, if you can hide it somewhere .....then i wont tell !! enjoy every penny !!

[jollyholly]

8grand in your bag no benefits,plus your bank liable to report deposit.

[themas]

You say you get help with pension oap. Do you mean you get pension credit? If so and it is the guaranteed credit then there is no upper limit on the amount of capital, but there is a deduction from the credit for all capital you have above �6000. If you now have no savings and get �17000 it will reduce your pension credit by �22 per week. I think something similar applies with Housing Benefit (for the rent) if you are getting guarantee credit.

You must report the windfall when you get it to the Pension Service and Local Authority, who will recalculate your entitlement. Do not try to hide it - it is fraud and could quite possibly be found out.