Customer Compliance Interview

Hello,

My dad has received a letter from DWP to attend a Customer Compliance Interview.

Here's the story - My father couldn't work any longer and gave up work after 45 years in the same factory. He applied for ESA in March & was put in the Support Group. I moved in to my father's home to look after him and take over the bills which are over £1000 a month. He cannot pay for this with the amount of ESA he gets. I pay in £700 to his bank account every month so the bills are paid on time by direct debit. He has no other income, no pension or saving.
DWP are asking for bank statements to be provided at the interview - my question is will they see this £700 going into my fathers account as income?
Any help appreciated.

hi I would make sure you get your bank statements to prove the money put into your fathers account was your money. explain it was to stop him getting into arrears which would make his health worse. when things improve your dad will pay you back. kind regards peter

I pay in £700 to his bank account every month so the bills are paid on time by direct debit. He has no other income, no pension or savings.

DWP are asking for bank statements to be provided at the interview - my question is will they see this £700 going into my fathers account as income?

In my opinion, what you pay into your father's account shouldn't be classed as 'earned income'. However, my DWP contact is on leave this week and I cannot find a definitive link on the DWP site.

I will speak to my DWP contact on Monday next 14 October on their return from leave.

However, hopefully one of our other moderators will be able to research this and provide a more definitive answer.

As I understand it, even regular gifts from family should not be treated as income. However, I can understand how/why the query arose as a regular amount such as this is easily confused with a wage (for instance). Your father will need to show that this money comes from you and is not payment for 'services rendered'.

Please note that this is my understanding from participating in other fora, I do not have the legislation to back this up.

Mrs Hurtyback wrote: As I understand it, even regular gifts from family should not be treated as income. However, I can understand how/why the query arose as a regular amount such as this is easily confused with a wage (for instance). Your father will need to show that this money comes from you and is not payment for 'services rendered'.

Please note that this is my understanding from participating in other fora, I do not have the legislation to back this up.

Hi MHB,

There is a scenario where "gifts" even if regular are not classed as income.

However, the monies in the OP's scenario may be classed as "household income" as it seems that they have moved in with their father.

Income, capital and assets are a complicated issue.

As seen in Chapter 48 :

www.dwp.gov.uk/docs/dmgch48.pdf

&

Chapter 51 : www.dwp.gov.uk/docs/dmgch51.pdf :

Here

bro58