Thank you for the information Erica. As I am disabled, I fully intend to buy a car with my inheritance. I also intend to pay off my debt. Will the benefit office take this into account? If I spend my money on a car, will they still say that it is an asset and reduce my benefit accordingly. I'm not very "clued up" on the benefits system having been married for 13 years. I've never had to worry about these things before and I'm finding it a bit of minefield now that I am an single!

Thank you for that loan ranger, I found it quite amusing! What I'd now like to know is, since the benefit office is now fully aware that I will be getting my inheritance soon (hopefully), obviously I am going to declare it. I might add that I had every intention of declaring it but have even had that taken out of my hands because of my malicous caller. They are just waiting to hear from me, as they stated in their letter. So my question is how much money am I allowed to have in my bank account before it affects my benefit. But more importantly, am I going to have to endure another visit from a compliance officer? I found the experience unpleasant to say the least, as was she!!!! Regards, Karen

Update to last post: Well it seems that I have worried myself sick for nothing. I received a letter this morning telling me that no action is being taken and that my money will still be paid into my designated account. Having told the truth to the compliance officer I certainly feel vindicated but at the same time I am annoyed that someone can make a single phone call and throw my life in chaos. It has not only caused the bebefit office extra work, but it has put me under needless stress. Whilst I accept that there is a need for these compliance officers, I also feel that the system doesn't allow for honest people who are accused malicously. It appears that anyone can ring the benefits office and spout a load of rubbish and automatically you are presumed guilty! Luckily everything turned out fine for me, but good luck to anyone else now finding themselves in this position, my thoughts are with you!

Having read the thread, I thought I'd share my experience with you all. I had a letter and consequently a visit from a compliance officer last week. It seems that they had recieved "an anonymous" call saying that I had a partner living with me who was working and had been for the last 3 or 4 years!!! My first thought was "how come you are only just visiting me now"? Then the penny dropped!!! I am disabled and a single parent claiming income support. I have just won a case in the high court which means I am owed between £25,000 and £30,000 but I'm having a fight on my hands so haven't declared it yet because I haven't had a penny so far. From the questions she asked and the information she had, it was abundantly clear to me exactly who had made this false allegation. I strongly suspect it was the defendant in the court case, I have no doubt whatsoever!!! I was accused of having my boyfriend living with me when in actual fact I am single and have been since February. The name she had on her paperwork was my ex-husband's who is practically my carer. He visits daily but lives with his parents. The only time he is in my house during the night is when I am very ill and he sits up with me. I answered all of her questions and signed the statement but am now left wondering what happens now. The Officer gave me no indication of how things would now proceed and I have been left unable to sleep and worried about what is going to happen. I despise these so called "do-gooders", they stick their noses into other peoples lives without getting their facts correct first but in my case this "anonymous" caller is even more dispicable because I think/know it was my sister!!!!!!