If so, what would happen if you went over the limit? and are their different rules for a savings in a bank vs a credit union?
Hi,
Max limit for means tested benefits for ANY savings/capitol is £16,000. If you go over this then you'll need to report it and your benefits will stop completely. This goes for any Income Related benefits you recieve, including Council tax reduction. The lower amount is £6,000, anything over this and and your benefits are affect £1 for every £250over this amount.
stephen i dont know where you stay but if its okay for one it should be the same for all my partner inherited 110 thousand pound from her late father,and she didnt lose her esa contribution based ,she never lost her dla ,but if you have savings over 16.0000 you still pay full rent anything under that then no
Hi Stephen
Firstly Housing benefit is different to the other benefits mentioned as it is nothing to do with the DWP and there
are local variations depending where you live/which council you come under. The replies you've received about savings limits for means tested DWP benefits are correct however you don't have to be on those to get Housing Benefit you could be on a low income.
You need to report your savings to the local council Housing Benefit Dept and DWP if you are in one of their benefits regardless of how much you have.
Contribution based ESA is not effected by savings and neither is PIP, DAL or AA.
Take care
Wendy x
As Wendy has said Contribution based benefits aren't affected by any saving/capital. When advicing others please be care of the advice you give. I had already adviced Stephen on the amount of savings allowed. My advice was correct.
Hi Denise
The information you gave about limits was exactly right BUT you do need to declare all savings even if they are below the limits which effect any benefits.
I know this as I retired from DWP last year. It's a common misconception that you need only let DWP know if you think you're over the savings limit.
Cheers
Wendy x
Hi,
I disagree with you that ALL savings have to be declared even if they're below the limit. So you're saying that if someone had savings of £300 then they would have to tell them this? Ridiculous! sorry but ringing DWP everytime you have a little savings like this is just stupid. People would literally be on the phone to them ALL the time. Savings of £6,000 and below do not affect any means tested benefits , therefore you don't have to tell them. Once they hit £6,000 then ring and tell them because this is when it affects means tested benefits.
On this matter i think we'll have to agree to disagree. Cheers.
Denise
You misunderstand me, if you are ever asked by DWP or have to complete a form for benefit reviews you must always declare any savings, including money in a current account.
I'm not suggesting you should contact the dept all the time.
Benefit Integrity reviews are often carried out as random checks by sending a review form and these must show all monies held in all accounts below £6000 as well as above.
Hope that clarifies I wouldn't want anyone to not declare savings when they should do even when they don't reduce their benefit award.
Wendy x
Morning Wendy, ah yes i did indeed misunderstood you. Yes of course you have to declare then for those reasons. Sorry about the confussion. xx
I'm sorry but you're completely wrong. Please don't give advice if you're unsure of exactly what you're advicing. People come here for advice and giving the wrong advice isn't good. The correct advice has already been given in multiple posts on this thread. Thank you.
Lisa
Yes Denise is correct your figures are not right, I've no idea where you've got them from either.
Please be careful when you post I'm sure you mean well but better no advice than wrong advice.
Take care
Wendy x
Thanks for you support Wendy. I have reported both replies from Lisa because we can't advice wrong advice given.
I'm sure they'll be dealt with first thing Monday morning. xx