savings

[jambos16]

I recently was interviewed by a Compliance officer due to a query arising to my claim for Carer's allowance and Income Support. The Query was that I had too much savings. The thing is my name was put onto my father's account so I could do his Banking and they are now saying this is half my money and I am over the limit. Will I now loose my Benefits and have alot to pay back? His savings are no more than �12,000.

[loonytunes]

The money is considered to be yours. Let's face it, anyone can say this to try to cover up savings. Should have arranged a power of attorney.

[Fay Mousse]

Loonytunes is correct - a power of attorney is the proper manner of dealing with an account on behalf of another.

Your benefit entitlement will be reassessed and you may have to pay it back.

[themas]

The above answers are not necessarily correct. What matters is who is the beneficial owner of the money in the account. If you & your father can prove it is your father's money, then this should be accepted.

However, it may be difficult to prove and you may well need help getting the DWP to accept the situation. See your local CAB, or other Welfare Benefits advice agency.

Incidentally, if the total savings are �12000 you might (even if you are unsuccessful in your appeal) still have an entitlement to Income Support, as the maximum allowable savings is �16000.