Council has made an offer to buy back my council flat, on UC and confused

Hello, My council has made me a generous offer to buy back my 1 bed council flat (£20K above the value) Due to my health conditions I need to move somewhere ground level or with a lift. I would be buying another 1 bed in the same area for around the same price (not started looking yet) I am on UC in the support group (+ PIP) The council can act fast and do a cash buy, so if I find a suitable flat, I inform them and they pay out quickly. Does my UC automatically get cut off when the money lands in my account (I would obviously inform them if this sale proceeds) Is 26 weeks (6 months) the standard disregard period of my flat sale to the council, running from the date it lands in my account? Many thanks Jen

Hi BIS, and thanks for your reply.
I have since confirmed with my council that when I find another flat and want to complete, the council will pay the sale/completion funds of my flat to my solicitor the day before the sale. I will inform UC via my journal re the sale when it is confirmed. From my understanding, my UC shouldn't be automatically cut off due to the standard capital disregard rule (UC regs 2013, Schedule 10) When I report in my journal that I'm selling my flat to buy another, the proceeds are disregarded as capital — not counted against the £16,000 limit — for 26 weeks, extendable further if I'm still reasonably trying to find a suitable property. As the process is incredibly fast via selling back to the council, I will not need extended time. I just wanted to clarify this thanks Jen

Hi Jen. I would talk to the council about it. See if the housing people and welfare people can have a joint meeting with you at your local community hub.
You need to explain your predicament to them.
You need everything clear and in writing so that you are covered. And their assurances (again in writing) that they will back you up if there is any drama.

Hello,

I agree with BIS that you should seek specialist advice, and I'll admit I don't know much about UC, but in my experience of property transactions (albeit limited), the financial side of things is often handled by your solicitor as they deal with the legal stuff, so the money need never reach your account. You will need a solicitor or a conveyancer anyway, and they should be able to advise you.

I hope it all goes well for you.

Wendy