smoking allowance

[Christabelle_sparkle]

Hi,
I have heard that you can get an allowance in your budget for being a smoker is this right?, if so does anyone know how much it is? our IP has never informed us that we can claim for this and we fund cigarettes out of our food budget currently. (only hubby smokes)

many thanks

[Shining]

Hi, I know some IP's / creditors allow this and been debated on the forum a few times, worth putting on your I&E it can only be rejected. I don't claim as we don't smoke (well I don't) and he only does secretly, but others will know what they claim. x

[Christabelle_sparkle]

Thanks Lesley.
It does not seem justified that some accept and some dont, does it?
At the end of the day it is an expense and it is not food, this is why I was querying it.
We seem to be struggling with what IP says we can live on. I will defo put it on I&E next time and if they say no, I will try and argue my case.

[andrea1968]

We both smoke and the creditors rejected our claim for this when the figures were being finalised for the iva.
We now *roll our own* which takes some getting used to but only smoke a 50g pouch each a week,not a chance of buying real ciggies,we couldnt eat if we did!!!

[Shining]

it's worth putting down the worst that can happen is it'll be rejected but nothing ventured etc.,
x

[Christabelle_sparkle]

Thanks Andrea,
can I please ask..if you don't mind?
how much did you say you both spent on ciggies originally?

[andrea1968]

we were told by our iva firm the maximum allowed would be 60 per month for the two of us-that is apparently what the guidelines allow,this is the amount we put forward originally but it was declined.

[Christabelle_sparkle]

That is a joke and not he funny kind!.
They should allow for it as it is a valid expense, and it will affect living costs.
Thanks Andrea

[pod_moo]

I was not allowed to include it. It has made me cut down so no harm done really. however I think it would be better if they had set rules across the board but this I would have thought it would open up a whole can of worms. Not everyone smokes so it would be unfair that some people would pay less to there IVA. I guess this is how it is viewed but I know myself as a smoker that it is a luxury (albeit and addictive one!) Sx

[wantmylifeback]

Yes we never put it in our budget, I have about 2 a day now if I am lucky cos I can't afford them. I have heard of people putting it in and my friend in an IVA has an allowance for it and for the gym!

[kallis3]

Some firms do allow it, others don't but you won't be allowed a large allowance for it.

[Jim.sjw]

why are ppl allowed to claim for ciggies...... is an alcoholic allowed to claim for beer??????
give up guys think of your health and others too.

[Broke of London]

This is a contentious point as it isn't a necessity in the sense that food, utilities, clothing etc are. And if smokers are allowed to indulge a pleasure, shouldn't we all be allowed a discretionary 'luxury' allowance??

[kazzafunk]

We both smoke. It is our only pleasure. We don't drink or go out. Never go out for meals. I can see both sides of the argument. Maybe they allow a small allowance for cigs so people opt for an IVA over BR?!!

[Broke of London]

I think the point in an IVA is that you can get an allowance for cigarettes which is a pleasure...but if you don't smoke there is no allowance so you can't indulge any pleasure.