Will My Benefits Be Affected?

With most benefits you are allowed to have up to £16,000 in your bank account before your benefits are stopped. If we believe that your compensation will go above that level – when added to any existing savings you may already have – then we can put in place what is known as a special needs trust or personal injury trust to ensure that you continue to receive your full benefits no matter the level of your compensation.

If you are in receipt of certain benefits when we secure your compensation award, then please do let us know. Not all benefits are affected by how much you have in the bank, but some are including:

• Universal Credit
• Pension Credit
• Income Support
• Tax Credits
• Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit

Even if your award is under £16,000 please let us know if you are receiving any benefits and we can make sure that you receive the advice and help you need.

If we do secure you in excess of £16,000 in compensation you will still have full access to your money in the trust, it just simply means that the whole amount is completely disregarded for benefit purposes, even if it is hundreds of thousands or even millions of pounds.

Do not delay making a claim if you have concerns about your benefits, doing so could mean that the time limits for claiming compensation lapse and you lose out on what is rightfully yours. If after we accept your case you still have questions about your benefit entitlements then speak to your local benefits office or citizens advice bureau who will be able to set your mind at ease.