if you got caught with 5000 pounds in your account?

Question

which genuinely wasnt yours by the housing benefits people what would happen and how could you prove it wasnt yours.

Answer 1

This may be a long shot but why don't you take the money in your account and spend it on rent instead of making everyone else pay for you? The benefit people prbably wouldn't notice that you are sitting on a fortune and reward your greed with benefit. if the money isn't yiours then why is it in your account? And if it if for one of your children if you have any, put it in their own account. Don't be a dole muncher.

Answer 2

Hello,

The most important point to understand here in the situation you describe, is that all banks, building societies & financial institutions have to keep a full audit trail (by law) of where payments came from (income sources) and when and where payments are made (outgoings). And thats "the" only thing you need to know, think about the implications and the rest will become crystal clear to you if you take the time to think about it.

**If the housing benefit people do find errors in your account, its totally obvious that they might ask you to pay back the 5K if they think it was paid out in error or if you have been mis paid or been over paid (even if it was there mistake).

**Proof of ownership of money is a very difficult area but not impossible though. It depends upon the burden of evidence or burden of proof. ie. it can be seen as a legal/financial issue.

IR

Answer 3

This seems like a hypothetical question, rather than a genuine situation.
Why would you have someone else's money in your account? If that was known, then the way to prove it would also be known.
From 10th April 2006 the savings limit before housing benefit is reduced is £6,000, and the upper limit before you get nothing at all is £16,000.
If the sum you were talking about was greater than £6,000 and you didn't declare it, you would be taken to court, if it was found out. You would then have the chance to prove it wasn't yours.

Answer 4

I'm sure 5000 isn't a big enough one off amount for them to be concerned about they look more at the monthly or weekly incoming and as long as thats not 5000 pounds a month you should be fine.

Answer 5

You can still get that benefit with that much in your account

What else should I know?
If you have recently come to Great Britain, please first check extra rules if you come from abroad.

If you live with a partner, only one of you can get Housing Benefit.
Unless you are aged 60 or over and receive the guarantee credit of Pension Credit, savings over £16,000 usually mean you cannot get Housing Benefit.

Savings over £3,000 (£6,000 if you or your partner are aged 60 or over) affect how much Housing Benefit you can get. From 10 April 2006, this will increase to £6,000 for all.

There are special rules if you are single and aged under 25 years.

If you have come to the United Kingdom (UK) within two years of your claim, this may affect Housing Benefit.

Most asylum seekers and people who are sponsored to be in the UK cannot get Housing Benefit.

You cannot usually get Housing Benefit if you live in a close relative's household.

You cannot usually get Housing Benefit if you are a full-time student, unless you are disabled or have children.

We use partner to mean a person you are married to or a person you are living with as if you are married to them.

Answer 6

Why would you possibly want to look after 5000 for someone else??

Answer 7

Be honest to the visiting officer as they can tell a scam a mile off.
You have nothing to worry about.

Answer 8

Very carefully....

To be honest - I'd put it aside and wait to see if they ever say anything - no doubt they will eventually but you could be earning interest from it in the meantime....

Answer 9

well if it was in your account you might find it a little difficult to prove it wasn't yours!!!