I have only just had an IVA approved

[fifi37]

I have only just had an IVA approved but have been trying to get child maintenance money from my ex husband for a number of years. I have only recently found out where he now works and got in touch with the csa. They are more hopeful this time in getting something. My budget set for the IVA is pretty tight and I am concerned that having this maintenance money might not benefit the children any - as that's what it's for! Can you tell me, will they expect me to pay all of it into the IVA? Obviously I want to pay my debts but really feel this could allow the children a better life style than I offer them at the moment. It is the lack of support from their dad that has left me in the mess I am in, in the first place. Any advice appreciated.

[Jinx]

Hi Fifi

Firstly welcome to the forum, I know nothing about CSA payments I'm afraid, being a 30 year old single non daddy. However, when you complete your income & expediture forms you must truly complete what your expenidture is, do not feel as though you should ruin yourself or cause your children unnecessary hardship to make payments. I am 50 months into my IVA & have only struggled when there has been unnecessary expenditure such as car breakdown etc. Normally I live quite happily & even manage the odd night out!

[fifi37]

Hi, thank you for your response. The budget does take into account enough for the necessities (mainly the minimum amount) and I feel it is workable, but my children have just reached the teenage years and I would like to be able to allow them to go out with friends more (even the cinema isn't cheap, let's face it) and I think if the csa does come off this time it will be a fairly substantial amount as by the work my ex does assume he will be on a reasonable salary. I would like them to benefit more from this but if it all goes into the IVA then they won't.

[fifi37]

oh and just to add - I have been trying to get maintenance for almost 10 years now.

[Adam Davies]

Hi
Any income from maintenace will be included in your overall income and will increase your disposible income and hence your IVA payments.
When you start receiving payments speak to your IP and fill out a fresh income and expenditure form, you may be able to offset some of the extra income with increased expenditure.
Regards

[plasticdaft]

Make sure to make the most of any allowances you may have,dentist,optician,dry cleaning etc!!

[Michael Peoples]

Check the conditions of your IVA. It may be that you would only have to contribute 50% of the CSA monies but this will depend on the proposal and modifications of creditors. It used to be common for creditors to ask for debtors in your position to investigate CSA payments and introduce 50% of any award.

[fifi37]

Thank you everyone, that is really helpful. There was no mention in the modifications but it does state that I would declare any monies I received from the csa, just does not mention what contribution I would have to make.

[Michael Peoples]

It may come under the 50% of additional income when you do the review. In the unlikely event that there is a back payment that would almost certainly be a windfall.

[ivas4us]

I know what you are going through with the csa. Wonder has not been getting money from her ex and If he had been paying what he should we probably may have kept our heads above water but the csa don't see that. Good luck with getting the money and I hope you can at least use some of it to help with the costs of the children.

[wonder]

Surely if some of the money is back pay you wouldn't have to pay that into your iva if its from before your iva?

[ivas4us]

I'm afraid that it would be seen as a windfall and in reality if the money had been paid as it should have it would probably have been used to pay creditors and probably prevented the need for a debt solution.