Savings plus backdated pay exceeds threshold

From advice given on the forum in the past, I'm aware backdated DWP payments are not seen as savings for the first 52 weeks.

But if you had £4,000 in savings and then were awarded another £4,000 in backdated money ( total £8,000 ) would the same still apply

i.e you would still be seen has only having £4,000 in savings for the first 52 weeks ?

Mod edit - As a benefits question, posting moved from discussion forum to questions forum.

pete17971
moderating team

Hi Doris

As I understand it, £4,000 would be disregarded (for 52 weeks), so it would be to the same effect as having just £4,000 and not £8,000 in savings.

Derek

Doris wrote:

From advice given on the forum in the past, I'm aware backdated DWP payments are not seen as savings for the first 52 weeks.

But if you had £4,000 in savings and then were awarded another £4,000 in backdated money ( total £8,000 ) would the same still apply

i.e you would still be seen has only having £4,000 in savings for the first 52 weeks ?

Mod edit - As a benefits question, posting moved from discussion forum to questions forum.

pete17971
moderating team

Hi,

There are some cases where backdated benefit it is not taken into account form more than 52 weeks.

However in response to your question, your savings would still be taken into account, however your backdated benefit would not be.

It maybe an idea to keep your savings and the backdated benefit money in seperate accounts. That way, should there ever be a query in the future, with regard to any means tested benefits claimed currently or in the future, it can be shown which 'pot' of money is where and which has been spent/used etc.

Pete

Hi Doris

I dont see how that can be classed as savings!! It could be assumed that you have had to break into your savings or need financial help from other sources whilst you were waiting for DWP to give you what is rightfully yours. Sometimes benefits can sit in bank accounts especially when receiving DLA aswell for people that cant get out which could take them over the savings thresh hold. The other thing is how much have you gone without whilst they get their act together? When i received backpay nothing was said about savings and i had been made redundant with and had £6,000 plus backpay and they were fully aware. Because my HB had been messed up by DWP my redundancy was eventually swallowed up in mortgage payments.

I hope this is of some help to you.

Mm x

Thanks for all the replys.


Would backdated Carers Allowance also be included in the 52 week rule ?


pete17971 wrote:

Hi,

There are some cases where backdated benefit it is not taken into account form more than 52 weeks.



Pete

Just out of curiosity Pete, which benefits?