Scrawl

kingfisherblue

Darksparkle wrote: »

You cannot claim WTC for looking after your own child regardless of whether the child is disabled or not.

I assume the OP has paid employment, for which he receives WTC. The question was whether the transport expenses payment has to be declared.

I don't know the answer, but would suggest a call to HMRC to clarify.

For those objecting to this payment, I don't think it's particularly common. It tends to be in circumstances when a child cannot be collected by the special needs transport. My son is collected by a minibus (driver and escort) each morning, and dropped off each evening. The route, in our case, picks up around eight children in the general area. Most children are transported this way.

For a few, though, this isn't possible. Our transport is not allowed to carry a wheelchair or Major buggy unless the child is unable to take a single step (when a different, wheelchair accessible, minibus is used). If my son needs his wheelchair, staff ring me and I take it in my car (I don't receive any payment for this, nor do I expect any). One child I know can take a few steps, but the minibuses are not allowed to take his buggy, which he needs to get around school. Because of this, a taxi collects him and his mum, takes them to school, then takes mum back home. This is reversed in the evening. It would be far cheaper to secure the buggy with bungee cords into a minibus and let the child travel with others from his area.

Another child attends a school in a different town, as there are no places locally. It's almost an hour each way. A taxi and escort undertake this duty.

I don't know if anyone near me is paid a transport allowance, but it's clear that some options are very expensive.

Personally, I feel that my son benefits socially by travelling on his minibus. He can't play out like other kids, so a bit of extra time with his friends is great. It also gives him a touch of independence, travelling without me.

pol-zeath

Not criticising the OP just the decision makers, but really how can they justify this.

Elderly people who have worked hard all their lives who now need support to remain living in their own homes, are because there is no money given paltry care calls of 15 mins a day and their day centres closed, which for many is their only socialisation. Meanwhile parents paid to take their OWN children to school!!! And I really don't care if the children are disabled or not they should be using the very generous benefits associated with having a child with a disability to fund transport costs.

tomtontom

Poppie68 wrote: »

People are being judgemental and imo downright horrible to the op(newbie) when it's the people that make these decisions should be the target.
The op is just taking what's offered, I don't expect any of you would turn down any financial help the state offered you?

I could easily claim ESA, I make a choice not to. I know I'm not unique in choosing to support myself, I just use some initiative to make the most of my circumstances despite my disability.

Should we automatically take something because it's offered? The country would be even more screwed if we did.

giddypenguin

tomtontom wrote: »

I could easily claim ESA, I make a choice not to. I know I'm not unique in choosing to support myself, I just use some initiative to make the most of my circumstances despite my disability.

Should we automatically take something because it's offered? The country would be even more screwed if we did.

You have chosen to refuse to accept money you are entitled to - as is your right. Do not judge others for their choice to accept money they have been assessed as entitled to.

As for people outraged that someone might get money to take their kids to school - I think it's perfectly obvious that these are special circumstances. If indeed OP's child has to travel a large distance to a suitable school, sounds to me that is an extra expense due to a disability...

dippy3103

giddypenguin wrote: »

You have chosen to refuse to accept money you are entitled to - as is your right. Do not judge others for their choice to accept money they have been assessed as entitled to.

As for people outraged that someone might get money to take their kids to school - I think it's perfectly obvious that these are special circumstances. If indeed OP's child has to travel a large distance to a suitable school, sounds to me that is an extra expense due to a disability...

No, Tom has chosen to work - that's why he is not claiming ESA. There are many people in the workplace that do not get any disability benefits (myself included).

Fair enough to assist with the cost, but £25 per day? Excessive to pay.

Guest101

giddypenguin wrote: »

You have chosen to refuse to accept money you are entitled to - as is your right. Do not judge others for their choice to accept money they have been assessed as entitled to.

As for people outraged that someone might get money to take their kids to school - I think it's perfectly obvious that these are special circumstances. If indeed OP's child has to travel a large distance to a suitable school, sounds to me that is an extra expense due to a disability...

Using words such as outraged in order to imply that feeling this way is 'outrageous', isn't helpful.

It's perfectly reasonable for anyone to question how taxes are spent. And where applicable to disagree.

I think it's perfectly clear this is a money saving technique, which has cost a number of people paid employment.

Those people could now be adding to the issue by having to claim state support. There will be more vehicles on the roads, adding to congestion, environmental damage, wear and tear on the roads. Added stress to the parents with arranging transport which could of course now take longer - that's just top of my head.

But hey, I'm not entitled to an opinion, it differs from yours and therefore is wrong on every level?

Poppie68

tomtontom wrote: »

I could easily claim ESA, I make a choice not to. I know I'm not unique in choosing to support myself, I just use some initiative to make the most of my circumstances despite my disability.

Should we automatically take something because it's offered? The country would be even more screwed if we did.

Many people do take the help offered, I suspect your in the minority.
If you had a disabled child though wouldn't you take all help offered?

NYM

Personal Transport Budgets for transporting eligible children to school...

This is a link to one Councils scheme. It seems quite a few now offer parents the opportunity to claim it. :undecided
https://search3.openobjects.com/mediamanager/westberks/enterprise/files/sen_ptb_info_flyer_dl_15.pdf

Scrawl

I would like to point out that my child at the moment is taken to and from school in a minibus along with other children. There are other people on the route who do not use the minibus and get paid the money to take their child. I work as a TA in a special needs school and was unable to take my child. I did not have a car and relied on a lift from a colleague to get to and from work. I also have a non disabled child who goes to the local school and I have to pay £300 for a bus ticket while those in the next street who get on at the same stop get free travel but that's the system.

I have tried to look on tax website to see if this is classed as an allowance or earnings and asked the parents who already get paid the money but they are unsure.


Thanks to all the people who have tried to help and point me in right direction.

NYM

Scrawl wrote: »

I would like to point out that my child at the moment is taken to and from school in a minibus along with other children. There are other people on the route who do not use the minibus and get paid the money to take their child. I work as a TA in a special needs school and was unable to take my child. I did not have a car and relied on a lift from a colleague to get to and from work. I also have a non disabled child who goes to the local school and I have to pay £300 for a bus ticket while those in the next street who get on at the same stop get free travel but that's the system.

I have tried to look on tax website to see if this is classed as an allowance or earnings and asked the parents who already get paid the money but they are unsure.


Thanks to all the people who have tried to help and point me in right direction.

It's not earnings.
On one site I looked at regarding the PTB it said it doesn't affect tax credits because the money is for the child. I just can't remember where or which site I read it