What to do in case of inheritance and benefits?

Questioner

My mother passed away last year in May. Together with my 2 sisters I now have her house. 40,000 euros pp. I also have a social assistance benefit and all allowances. The house has now been sold. Do I now have to pay back all allowances and benefits from last year. Or only rent allowance from this year, because on 1 January 2013 I was not yet wealthy.

Lawyer

The date on which you actually inherited is the date of your mother's death. Your right to a WWB benefit ended on this day. Based on art. 58 WWB, the municipality may reclaim the benefit that was wrongly paid to you. Based on art. 17 WWB you have a duty to provide information. I hope that you informed the benefit agency at the time that your mother had died and that you would inherit assets in due course. If that is not the case, you must expect a fine of 100%. As far as allowances and benefits from the tax authorities are concerned, your actual annual income applies. This has already been determined for 2013. You will have to repay the allowances and benefits for 2014. You must also inform the tax authorities that you wish to stop the allowances and benefits.