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After how many payments does it become a regular payment?
RSISolutions
Member Posts: 113 Courageous
Dear @BenefitsTrainingCo I am aware that if you receive regular payments from a charity or a relative, and these payments are not expected to be paid back, in other words they are a gift, this is disregarded and doesn't count towards your income – if you are on an income related benefit such as ESA.
My question is what is a regular payment? After how many payments does it become regular? Two or more?
My question is what is a regular payment? After how many payments does it become regular? Two or more?
Replies
The payments can become regular as soon as they start, as long as they are made or 'due to be made' regularly. So they could be regular from the very beginning, if you could show that the intention was that they would continue at regular intervals.
Hope that helps.
Will
What if they stop after 4 payments and you are still on income based ESA?
Just stop completely after 4 payments.
I think 4 payments which are made regularly & then stop are probably still regular payments. The regs simply say a payment made or due to be made at regular intervals. I don't think the fact that the series of payments then stops would matter.
However, if for some reason the payments didn't qualify (if they were not made at regular intervals or were not due to be paid in this way), then they might be irregular payments in which case they would be treated as capital, and unlikely to affect your claim unless they took you over £6,000 in capital.
i'd also be cautious if the payments are from someone who is expected to maintain you, such as a partner or ex-partner. These are treated as maintenance, and could be taken into account.
Income-related ESA isn't taxable. However, Victoria's points above about inheritance tax might be relevant, depending on who is making the payment to you.
Will