www.iva.co.uk

My daughter is 17. 18 in April and is a full time college studen and she is wanting to get a part time job. Will it affect my IVA and will they expect some of her money? I get tax credits for her.

My daughter has turned 18 now and waiting for A-level results and is going to uni, I'm not charging her for living here and my IP will be aware of her age. she does have a part-time job until September 8th when she leaves for Uni. x

Part-time employment for college students may go some way to defray the costs of further education, but in no way will it cover them all! You will probably find that you will be asking your IP for an additional allowance, rather than having additional household income as a result.

We contacted our IVA when our daughter left school and went to Uni but stayed at home as we lost their child benefit. Our allowance was reduced for her as she was deemed as self sufficient (don't know what with)and we have just had to struggle on. Alone her bus pass is £6 for four weeks but isn't accounted for in our budge, alternatively she could walk.

Hope your daughters story is more favourable.

sorry that should say £65 per four weeks for her bus pass oops xx

How can a child with no income be self-sufficient? It doesn't make sense and this sort of decision should be challenged. What have you had to give up to afford your daughter's travelling costs?

Thanks for your concern Mel, we have had to give up virtually everything, a car, my other half starts work at 4.30 am and now has to pedal to work at this time in the winter, we haven't had a night out or day out with the kids for over 2 years, our shopping is basic, mobile phones down graded to the absolute minimal, no trips in the other car for anything other than essential trips or to get to work, and no money what so ever the last week of every month, it is an existence rather than living, both work full-time and it is very hard to keep going. Nearly half way there x

Which IP firm are you with as a matter of interest - and have you appealed their decision or spoken directly to the IP acting for you to get their personal decision?

We are with Payplan, we have rang and e:mailed and asked for help, but just get quite negative replies, as though to say they can not change anything and get on with it, just trying to get through the next 27 months

Perhaps Gemma, the Payplan representative on the forum, will pick up this post and explain why they feel this policy is correct. More likely she will invite you to contact them off-line, but do take up the offer if it is extended as this definately is worth someone else taking a second look.

27 months is a long time to live the way you are living. Hopefully Gemma can intervene and get you access to your IP for a decision.

I have found in my own firm that advice given by office staff is sometimes different to advice from the IP...keep pushing as you shouldn't have to 'exist'.

x