In PayPlan IVA, now getting DLA - what expense to include ?

markd21

Hi,

Me & My wife are in IVA with payplan. Mine started Jan 14 & my wife's started in April 2012 and she has done her last I&E review in April this year ( If they do not ask for additional year ) .

We have only 1 child and recently he has been diagnosed with Autism. We applied for DLA & given only care component. DLA also meant that there is an increase in Tax Credits.

Now coming to main question. How to approach Payplan on this? Previously we have been just about managing to make IVA payments. Even though we were struggling with that budget because we didnt want to fail the IVA so we kept it floating. Many times we had to cut expenses from here & there or even ask family to make that happen. Many expenses like house keeping was kept to minimum ( in fact less than what we would need)

Now some money is coming for our child. How to sort this out?

Will they raise any objection on why there is an increase in some house keeping expenses?

What sort of expenses are allowed for DLA? Previously we were just about doing it normally but now after knowing that our child is suffering so obviously will have to give him better & healthy life. So what sort of expenses we can use for DLA.

What are the guidelines for general expenses? Previously we kept them to minimum. & honestly speaking many times was short to make IVA payments but managed as didnt wanted to go in Bankruptcy.

Now stressing out that if we raise these expenses to the actual level or where we are ok, then they might say previously you were spending this much so why increased now?

Please advice.

Thanks

dizzyblonde82

I'm in the process of starting an IVA and receive medium rate care and low rate mobility for my 10 year old son who is autistic. Stepchange were very understanding and spread most of the benefit across my expenditure as we have Sky tv because it is one of the only things that calms our son down. We also need a car as he can't cope on public transport and people staring at him. Our grocery shopping is more than usual as there are limited things my son will eat so they put some onto the grocery allowance in the budget.

The DLA is there to support your child's needs, I would contact PayPlan and explain your situation and see what they say.

markd21

Hi, Thank you for your post. that was helpful information. I have requested fresh I &E. thanks

National_Debtline

Hi Mark


Sorry for not noticing your query sooner. I just wanted to point out that you can argue that any extra income received as a result of your son's DLA award should be "ring-fenced" specifically for any extra needs that are linked to his condition. What those "needs" are could have quite a wide interpretation, but ultimately you should feel entitled to earmark every penny of the DLA award for them if that is what you wish to do.


Dennis
@natdebtline

DorisTrousers

Quite right.

SC and PP have no call on that money, it should be offset in its entirety, no questions asked. Spreading most of the benefit across expenditure assumedly means not all of it, therefore more to pay? Resist at all costs.