estranged husband pays mortage, is this classed as amintenance

knack

Sorry if I have posted in the wrong place.
My husband and I have split up and divorcing. The mortgage is solely in his name but is paid from my bank account. He transfers the money to my account from his monthly to pay the mortgage.
I this money classed as maintenance?
I this money classed as income?
Thanks in advance.

Bonfire_Bride

I would probably change it so that it comes straight from his account.

Is there a reason why this can't be done?

knack

Thanks.
Not really, other than I don't trust him to pay it.
Sad really isn't it.

TBagpuss

counted by whom?

Do you have any children?

If you are applying for means tested benefits then you would be better off having him pay it directly. You could get him to sign a form of authority to the bank to disclose information to you about the account, that way you would be able to check whether payments were being made.

If you have children then you may be able to class it (or some of it) as maintenance for them in which case it is, as I understand it, disregarded for benefits purposes.

knack

I have 2 young children. Mortgage is in husbands name only. I do not receive any benefits other than wtc etc as I work 20+ hrs per week.

northerntwo1

knack wrote: »

I have 2 young children. Mortgage is in husbands name only. I do not receive any benefits other than wtc etc as I work 20+ hrs per week.

It's fine for tax credits as it's not taxable income but if possible ask him to mark it as mortgage so if you do ever get questioned your bank statements show mortgage as an entry.

I hope life starts to settle down soon for you.

knack

Thank you.
Sure all will work out ok in the end.

TELLIT01

Any payment made to you has the potential to be classed as income / maintenance or anything else the DWP chooses to call it. Better by far for the payment to go direct from your ex to the mortgage provider so there can be no doubt about its purpose.