Disregarded Property

A property that you own and do not live in usually counts as capital for benefits. The amount of capital that you have can affect how much you receive in benefits.

If a property is disregarded, it is not counted as capital for benefits.

Your property is disregarded for 6 months if you do not live in it and you:

• Left due to a break-up with your partner
• Took steps to put it on the market
• Bought and plan to move into it
• Sought legal advice or started legal proceedings to occupy it
• Moved out so essential repairs could be carried out and you plan to move back in

Money can be disregarded for 6 months too, if it is:

• Proceeds of the sale of your home, to be used to buy a new home
• Home Insurance payout received for damage to your home
• Loans taken out for renovations to your home