Holiday money

Robbie64

OhYeah wrote: »

Hi I have recently started claiming Income Support. My friend gave me a £300 to spend on holiday as she was aware that money was tight since lsoing my job. I had booked the holiday before I lost my job. Do I declare the £300 to the DWP and will I have to pay the DWP £300 equivalent?

There is no need to declare it unless it takes your savings over £6,000 / £16,000.

OhYeah

tazwhoever wrote: »

dmg24, I think you are wrong here, you will need to declare it if claiming JSA (IB), and if your capital is less than £6K then it wouldn't affect the benefit. For JSA (CB), you won't need to declare it.

I am claiming Income Support. What is JSA (CB) and JSA (IB). Apologies this language is all new to me. Also since posting my original message I have received £300 refund from pension contributions from my former employer. They have deducted tax from the amount. Do I need to declare this? Sorry for these questions but benefits is completly new to me.

whiskyman

The Op does not need to declare this money. Gifts for 'luxuries' do not need to be declared only those for normal living expenses. Also although going on holiday if they willing to return to start a job they are still available for work

DX2

whiskyman wrote: »

The Op does not need to declare this money. Gifts for 'luxuries' do not need to be declared only those for normal living expenses. Also although going on holiday if they willing to return to start a job they are still available for work

The Op is getting INCOME SUPPORT not JOBSEEKERS ALLOWANCE.

Benefits_Bod

whiskyman wrote: »

The Op does not need to declare this money. Gifts for 'luxuries' do not need to be declared only those for normal living expenses. Also although going on holiday if they willing to return to start a job they are still available for work

Charitable and voluntary payments (except from a former partner) are disregarded as income.

Such payments will count as capital** and I agree with all the posters who have advised the £300 does not need to be disclosed so long as overall capital remains at less than £6,000.

** If money is initially paid as income, whether or not disregarded for benefit purposes, it only becomes capital on the first day after the period the income was in respect of.