what will happen if my partner can't get a job?

[lighton]

Hi melanie we have just been awarded 200 towards a holiday from the family fund do we need to declare this to our ip.We have to keep reciepts for this anyway

[MelanieGiles]

Can you define what the "family fund" actually is please.

[lighton]

Sorry it a goverment fund to help parents of disabled children who recieve dla.They help to make life a bit easier and less stressful .they provide help to take children out as everything has to be done seperate to ease stress, clothing because of added wear and tear.And soiling etc.Also play equipment as in my case my child is almost eleven and canot go out to play etc.They also provede washingmachines and tumble driers.

[Lisa2009]

I wouldnt think that the money from The Family Fund Trust would need to be declared as it is paid out for things the disabled child and household of the disabled child needs.

[lighton]

Thank you mrs skint, i wasnt sure we had to have someone around to veify that we are intitled to it, just wanted to be sure .

[Lisa2009]

Basically, it isnt really your money, its paid for the child so i dont think you have anything to worry about.

[lighton]

I thought that , but so is dla its in his name not mine but they still want to know about that.I was going to open an account in his name and have all his money paid in there , any advice anyone.Hes 10

[MelanieGiles]

This money would need to be declared to your IP if it is paid to you directly. If it is entirely used to fund exceptional expenditure directly for your child, a corresponding entry will be made in your expenditure to reflect this.

[lighton]

But it is paid to me on behalf of him. I cant spend it on anything else but him.

[MelanieGiles]

So as I said show the income in and show the expenditure out - therefore no surplus available for creditors.

[lighton]

I dont really understand what you mean by exceptional expenditure.He is given it to make his life and ours easier.Thats what goverment say it is for . So surely what it is spent on is not relevant.It should just be classed as childs extra needs.As is disabled child tax credits.

[MelanieGiles]

I don't think I am going to be able to explain this to you properly on the forum. All I can say is that you have to declare the income to your IP and tell them what is it spent on. Whether you feel that is fair or not, I am afraid that is what we have to do.

[lighton]

I have declared it, but am not willing to say exactly what it is spent on because it is invading my sons privacy,if the iva fails because of this ,maybe i could appeal against it in someway.Am awaiting verdict of one case i think is going on in court at this time.If every department of the goverment including inland revenue it isnt even looked at if anything you are given extra premiuns on certain things why are ips and creditors any different.Its not declared in bankruptcy so why is iva different.I dont think its just me .Other people are getting in trouble in there ivas because they are declaring it and ivas are going ahead because of that extra income.I think this is wrong ,if it wasnt declared at all at least you are giving an accurate account of your finances , as dla can be taken away at any time.Or even if child goes into hospital long term it stops.I thought iva was all guarenteed income .

[lighton]

im going to find out more about the family fund . I think it is diabolical that a 10 year olds business shouldnt be declared to anyone.Especially creditors of the parents its not right or moral.Shouldnt be allowed to happen i dont mind saying taht he gets it, but what it is spent on i will draw the line.I shouldnt need to answer this as it is a goverment matter and any insolvency firm should be asking the goverment .Im sure the goverment would be really pleased to hear that money they give to a child is being used for clearing parents debts.

[MelanieGiles]

It is not being used for clearing parents debts at all. As I have repeatedly said - the income comes in and the money goes out - leaving no surplus to be grabbed by creditors. If you choose to not disclose what the money is being spent on, that is matter between you and your IP. I am afraid we don't make the rules - we just have to carry them out.