Does money from my Dad count as income?

bestpud

ceridwen wrote: »

..in which case it doesnt need mentioning anyway.

Nice to see that some posters know their facts and are helpful:T

No excuse for advocating fraud as far as I am concerned, and that is what you were doing once we take the context into account! That is against the rules of this forum, as well as morally unnaceptable! But I guess all the potential scroungers/fraudsters out there would consider your advice very helpful! :rolleyes:

But, back to the issue of the benefits. I was unaware this would no longer counted so thanks for pointing that out real1314.

Goodness only knows how many are exploiting that little loophole!!

Basically, if someone has a rich family, they are able to get a nice flat/house and let daddy and the tax payer fund it between them, while they spend their wages on what they like? :rolleyes: :mad:

Just what benefits were intended for!

Btw, would this still count if it were an ex partner giving the money?

real1314

ceridwen wrote: »

..in which case it doesnt need mentioning anyway.

Nice to see that some posters know their facts and are helpful:T

Ah, well, in fact it DOES need to be mentioned. ALL income should be declared, regardless of how it would be treated. Besides which if you declare somehting and they deal with it incorrectly, you cannot be prosecuted for fraud, even if it would have dramatically affected your benefit. If you don't declare something, you could (potentially) end up in prison witha criminal record to boot.

tightperson

As I have been unable to work due to illness and other problems my parents have been paying most of our mortgage for 12 months. I declared this and the IS told me that as far as they were concerned it was classed as a gift or voluntary payment and was NOT counted as income in any IS or HB assessments.

Oldernotwiser

tightperson wrote: »

As I have been unable to work due to illess my parents have been paying most of our mortgage for 12 months. I declared this and the IS told me that as far as they were concerned it was classed as a gift or voluntary payment and was NOT counted as income in any IS or HB assessments.

But you can't claim HB anyway if you have a mortgage.

cw18

A lot of people refer to mortgage interest assistance as HB (I tend to when chatting to family and friends as it's easier to say, and they all know what I mean anyway)

tightperson

cw18 wrote: »

A lot of people refer to mortgage interest assistance as HB (I tend to when chatting to family and friends as it's easier to say, and they all know what I mean anyway)

Thanks cw, yes MI is what I mean, like you say it's easier to say. It isn't as costly to the tax payer either. I have worked for the last 25 years with no gaps and still want to work, I wish I could, unfortunately though I was in an RTA 9 months ago and at the moment I am still unable to. I have payed plenty of tax & NI and now I could do with a little help it has been extremely difficult to get any.

See my post here at the bottom of the page.

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?p=15324561#post15324561

PasturesNew

If the OP were earning more, her dad wouldn't be putting his hand in his pocket. I'd not consider it income at all.

And, as it's been pointed out, it's a voluntary payment.

However, as has also been pointed out: why would anybody pay £850 rent when they earn £1000?

Oldernotwiser

Whilst I follow the argument as to discounting gifts of money as income, how can someone claim HB to pay the rent when it's actually being paid by someone else?

real1314

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

Whilst I follow the argument as to discounting gifts of money as income, how can someone claim HB to pay the rent when it's actually being paid by someone else?

Because the father in this case has no liability to pay the money, therefore it's voluntary. Whereas the tenant has a clear legal liability to pay so the state provides assistance within appropriate limits.

For all anyone knows, the father may only have a small income themselves but may feel that they can help their child out.
If the state was to take the view that if he gives £20 the state knocks off £20, then he would be a fool to continue paying.

Oldernotwiser

real1314 wrote: »

Because the father in this case has no liability to pay the money, therefore it's voluntary. Whereas the tenant has a clear legal liability to pay so the state provides assistance within appropriate limits.

For all anyone knows, the father may only have a small income themselves but may feel that they can help their child out.
If the state was to take the view that if he gives £20 the state knocks off £20, then he would be a fool to continue paying.

I'm sure you're right but it seems to me that it's taking money under false pretences, morally if not legally. Much the same situation as claiming HB for a house owned by a family member who is letting you live there rent free.