Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether (a) GoFundMe and (b) other fundraisers set up by a friend or relative can impact on a claimant's access to (i) universal credit, (ii) child benefit, (iii) housing benefit and (iv) other social security benefits.

A lump sum received as a result of a fund-raising campaign through GoFundMe or other similar platforms would be treated as capital for the assessment of means-tested benefits (Universal Credit, Income Support, Housing Benefit, income-related Employment and Support Allowance and income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance). Such a payment would only affect benefit entitlement if the claimant’s total capital exceeds the lower limit of £6,000, then a tariff will be applied to reduce the means -tested benefit award. For pension age benefits (Housing Benefit for pensioners and Pension Credit) the tariff would only be applied where the total capital held exceeds £10,000.

Where the lump sum payment means that the claimant’s capital exceeds the upper capital limit of £16,000 then the individual will no longer be eligible for means-tested benefits, although there is no limit for Pension Credit.

In certain specific circumstances money received through such channels may be eligible for a formal disregard. Charitable or voluntary payments which are made or due to be made at regular intervals are fully “disregarded” (ignored) in Income Support, income-related Employment and Support Allowance, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance and Universal Credit.