Universal Credit Application Help - Disregarded Property

[clairey]

Hi everyone,

 

I have a question about applying for Universal Credit.

 

This is the first time I've ever applied for benefits and have a bit of an unusual living arrangement.

I current rent the home I live in, but I also own a house (with equity) in my home town that my 71 year old mother lives in.

She is over state pension credit age, which I've read in many places qualifies the property as "disregarded" or "ignored".

 

I was just looking for some advice on the UC application form - there's nowhere that asks for details on this.

 

You either state you have under or over £16k savings with no further questions.

Do they get in touch to ask about this or do you not include it on the application because it's disregarded?

 

I don't want to complete the application incorrectly, I know they're bogged down at the moment.

Thanks in advance for any insights on the application process.

Claire

[dx100uk]

im sure there is a specific question that says do you own any other property other than where you live now...

[unclebulgaria67]

There is no automatic disregard. You have to include the equity capital value in your disclosure, as you have a second property you do not live in.

 

Once you have disclosed this, when they try to verify your capital, you should be sent a form, where you will be asked for full details of the second property.  The information will then be referred to a Decision Maker and they will decide whether and for how long to disregard the equity value.

 

From what I understand the potential disregard is based on the facts of the case and is not automatic. Otherwise someone with capital might buy a property for an elderly relative to live just to protect their savings, while claiming Housing benefits to live somewhere else.

[clairey]

Thank you so much, this is what I was wondering about. That's very helpful.

 

Thanks,

Claire

[unclebulgaria67]

See the document in the following link. Parts 2048 and 2049

 

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/864939/admh2.pdf

 

By declaring the capital asset correctly, you are then enabling the disregard action to take place.n