Sibling inheritance threatening pension

[morei]

Hoping for advice. Two elderly siblings each on non-contributory state pensions - qualified easily when means-tested fifteen to twenty years ago. Their brother died intestate and they both inherited land and cash. Inheritance has brought worries rather than joy. Do they have to notify SW that they have received this inheritance? Solicitor may have been in touch with SW already. Both v worried. One is single and has a lot of other savings due to a frugal lifestyle. The other is married and would have been a dependant on spouse's contributory state pension originally but SW put her on non-contributory as it was more advantageous. What do we do now? Would appreciate info.

 

[Zacchaos]

As far as I know, they are legally obliged to inform DSP within 3 months of their change in means circumstances. See section 5.7 of this guide:

http://www.welfare.ie/en/Pages/State-Pension-Non-Contributory.aspx

Any capital amounts over 20k are counted for means.

 

[Brendan Burgess]

If they have the means, the taxpayer should not be paying them pensions.

 

[Gerry Canning]

If they have the means, the taxpayer should not be paying them pensions.

+1;

Also the savings threshold before SW deduct is quite high. If they do not sort now ,I think it would be sorted on their death.

Since they are elderly and you are concerned , you could call to SW , if you are armed with the amount of funds they have , you can without revealing names then work out the probable little loss they will get on their payment.
Elderly seem to fall into panic over this and see any pension withdrawal as very very stressful.

 

[Black Sheep]

A visit to the local citizens Information centre should help to sort this out. If the ladies are prepared to hand over the details of the amounts involved Citizens Information should be able to work out the amount of reduction in the pensions. There may also be arrears due (particularly by the single lady who has accumulated savings) which would be dealt with by a further reduction in her pension.

There should not be any need for worry here as SW and CIC deal with this type of situation regularly. Non contributory pension is paid to people with low or no other means. They now has other means to replace the reduction or loss of pension

 

[morei]

Thank you all very much. Will talk to Citizens Information first, then SW. I have an idea of the figures. They are both v stressed by whole thing.