Change of circumstances - Capital

People's benefit may be changed by any capital they have or inherit. Find out how benefits may be affected by your capital.

How capital affects your benefit

Not all benefits are affected by the amount of capital the customer and their family have. However, title to some benefits can be reduced or removed depending on the amount of capital involved.

"Capital" includes:

• savings (cash, money in banks, Post Office® and building society accounts etcetera)
• national savings certificates
• premium bonds as well as investments (shares etcetera)
• property and land

Certain types of capital are disregarded, for example, a property which the customer occupies as his home would not count as capital.

The benefits and tax credits listed below are the main ones likely to be affected by capital:

• Income Support/Jobseeker's Allowance (Income based)
• Employment and Support Allowance (person with disabilities)
• Housing Benefit
• HS Treatment
• Social Fund