How much can my ex give me without effecting my income support?

[mrsp14]

Im just about to apply for income support. My ex is willing to give me money for me and lo... but i've been told it will effect the income support if he gives me too much, unless its just for lo. So if he gave me 500 quid (he wont give that much but for example) and i said it was for my lo would my income support be ok?

I dont' really understand any of the benefits so if anyone can explain it all to me in laymans terms i would be uber grateful!!!

TIA
xx

 

[xxembobxx]

I think you're allowed to keep about £20 a week of maintenance before it affects your IS pound for pound.
On the plus side though any maintenance you receive does not currently affect housing benefit or tax credits.
So you would be better off working if your ex is definitely going to pay a guaranteed big amount.

 

[kirst1805]

From Direct Gov: Also, since April 2010 parents with care can keep all child maintenance paid to them and this should no longer affect their income-related benefits.

You still need to declare it to the benefits office though.

If you were to get a little job, you can earn £20 without it affecting your benefit, but again it still needs to be declared.

xxx

 

[louisechippy]

wss matineance no longer affects benifits although you still have to declare it x

 

[nugget80]

maintenence does not count as income for most benefits. when i claimed a couple of years ago it was taken into account for is and they would only let you keep first £20 and after that your is would decrease according to how much you got...