Ipa???

WantToBeFree

I am on benefits and my only other income is the maintenance my ex pays monthly - is it likely that the OR will see this as spare income and take all/most of it?

sniggings

unless it's a lot of money I doubt it will take you over what is allowed,maybe give some figures so we have more to go on.

WantToBeFree

£350 per month. If theres any chance that the OR wants to take it then I can see my ex refusing to pay it at all - either way my kids will miss out unless the OR isnt interested it.

sniggings

benefits plus £350 will almost 100% not mean an IPA!

WantToBeFree

sniggings wrote: »

benefits plus £350 will almost 100% not mean an IPA!

Really? Why do you say that? I was under the impression that any money over £20 spare went in an IPA? Dont get me wrong I dont have a lot spare as I am very frugal now, but still?

sniggings

because what is allowed is different to what amount you get on benefits,BR is seen as a way to give the person a new start,not as a way to pay money back,you only pay back anything if you can afford it after your reasonable living expenses (we all know benefits are far from reasonable) to give you an idea,I was on £270 net a week single person and no IPA.

WantToBeFree

I do hope thats right because that money is the difference between us coping and managing or not

sniggings

WantToBeFree wrote: »

I do hope thats right because that money is the difference between us coping and managing or not

you need to stop seeing your benefits as your income and the £350 as extra money,your income is everything together,so when you work out your weekly expenses you need to include the £350 as well.

Ineedaname

Benefits cannot be taken in an IPA and child maintenance is for the kids so I'm pretty sure that's not counted either.

An IPA is an Income Payments Agreement and child maintenance is not income from earnings!

WantToBeFree

Ineedaname wrote: »

Benefits cannot be taken in an IPA and child maintenance is for the kids so I'm pretty sure that's not counted either.

An IPA is an Income Payments Agreement and child maintenance is not income from earnings!

This is what I would hope, as certainly no other benefit counts maintenance any more, I'm just not sure about the OR.
When I had my very unhelpful conversation with the cccs they told me that it would be counted as income.

Maybe I'm just getting myself mixed up, lack of sleep, stress etc, and like OP said stop looking at it as seperate money.

Ineedaname

Please accept my apologies, I just did some digging and it appears that the OR can take surplus from child maintenance paid via the CSA, according to this page I found anyway.

However, I wouldn't worry too much as by the time you have taken out rent, utility bills, phone, dinner money, after school activities, clothing, haircuts etc. etc. It's quite possible you won't have surplus from the amounts you say you receive.

If you're still worried, then use this SOA calculator, format it for MSE and past a copy in this thread. Members can then comment on how an OR may view your expenditure and make any suggestions for changes you could make. Remember, the SOA should be as your finances will be without debt payment after going BR. The only items on that list which are definitely not allowed are Entertainment and Presents.