Hi Casey

Although the trustee cannot take a contribution directly from the DLA, it is considered an increase to your income.

For example if you received the following

weekly wage: £200
DLA: £70

The maximum weekly contribution the trustee would be able to take, once the agreed expenditure had been deducted, would be £200.

Probably not the most realistic of scenarios, however hopefully this shows you how it work.

Julie

Julie,

Can I ask why DLA is taken into account when working out income.....

I work within Housing and when we are making repayment arrangements with Tenants to repay Rent arrears, when we do an income and expenditure form with them we disregard both DLA and Attendance Allowance as this is money the person or family need to care for themselves etc..... I also know that DWP and Housing Benefits disregard DLA when assessing Income.......

Hi Porcupine.

As already stated DLA, like all other sources of income, is factored into how much a trust deed contribution will be.

At the same time it is acknowledged that the reason why DLA is being paid will generally be to cover expenditure connected to the reason for the DLA being awarded (expenditure in excess of what most other people would have).

So long as a fair assessment of expenditure is made it should not cause any issues if DLA is included in the income calculation.