Q: My friend's mother was a victim of domestic abuse. She separated from her ex husband and applied for benefits in UK. In UK, you have to tell the state if you have any property abroad. She has a house and land abroad but she did not mention it to benefits at that time maybe due to distress or confusion, etc.
Anyways, now after a few years she has realized she did not give the correct info to benefits. She was told if she reports herself to state then she will get her benefits cut or she may not get benefits for 3 years. She may end up going to prison and will have to return some or all the money she took from state.
She cares for 2 disabled children and she also herself is ill. If her benefits stop, she will be in great hardship.
She is thinking of taking her part of inheritance from the home and land and donating it. Would that suffice?
Is it ok if she doesn't tell the state about her mistake because if she does then the consequences are too dire?
Can she continue to claim benefits on false info? If she can't claim, she will end up in very hard circumstances.
Her son also claims benefits and he also never told the state about this but he said he will only inherit property and land after his mother passes away. So he has no right over that property. So he does not have to declare that. Is his take correct?
What should this family do in this situation?
A: The benefits she and her son are receiving are permissible. She does not have to give any portion of her inheritance in sadaqah.
And Allah Ta'ala (الله تعالى) knows best.
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