I have a client on Income Support who is trying to agree maintenance payments with her ex-partner. Ex-partner has told her he wants to pay a regular amount into their son's Child Trust Fund, instead of making maintenance payments to her directly. Am I right in thinking payments to the Trust Fund would not count as client's income, as money to Trust Fund is inaccessible?

Many thanks

A trust fund may be counted as notional income. This would not apply if the trust was based on a discretionary trust or trust set up from money paid as a result of a personal injury, damages administered at the discretion of the court awarded for personal injury or if under 18 in compensation for death of one or both parents. It would depend on the nature of the trust.

If it is the government Child Trust Fund, which you can pay £1,200 into per year this does not affect IS.

Regards

Many thanks