Is WIA considered income?

[lostinflorida]

I plan to file bk first of December. I am also trying to get enrolled in a votech program for career training. I am applying for WIA (Workforce Investment Act) tuition assistance.

If I receive WIA, it will be paid directly to the school (as far as I know). Would I have to include this as income? I plan to start school in November as long as I can get the money for it.

If I can't get WIA, my second question is....if my son paid for my tuition by writing a check directly to the school, would I have to report that as income?

Thanks for any and all help!

[lrprn]

If the WIA is paid directly to the school and never goes through your account, then it shouldn't count as income.

If your son pays your tuition as a gift (not a loan) and pays the school directly without the cash ever hitting your account, then that has nothing to do with you and shouldn't count as income either.

Of course you'll want to verify this with an experienced bk lawyer in your area.

[magyar123]

If the WIA is paid directly to the school and never goes through your account, then it shouldn't count as income.

If your son pays your tuition as a gift (not a loan) and pays the school directly without the cash ever hitting your account, then that has nothing to do with you and shouldn't count as income either.

Of course you'll want to verify this with an experienced bk lawyer in your area.

Are you sure regarding the son's paying for the school? Wouldn't a real "by the book" trustee consider the gift as income OR future loan obligation and have the son become a creditor?

[AngelinaCatHub]

If he pays it back it is a loan and should be treated as such. Then possibly paid through or reaffirmed. If a grant paid directly to the school it is assistance and should not be counted as income. 'Hub

[lostinflorida]

Clarification

I'm sorry, but I"m confused by the answer about my son paying for my school. So are you saying that it would be better if we call it a "loan" that I say we will pay back rather than a gift? I will pay it back to him, I don't want my son to be supporting me, but at this point in time, I do have to accept help where I can get it.

[PoorGrammyinBK7]

I believe if the son pays the school DIRECTLY and it does not go through you (as a gift), you shouldn't have to count as income (like lrprn says).

OR, if you call it a "loan" its not income, rather a "loan" to be paid back in the plan or reaffirmed.

But not sure any of us really knows which is best, without more detail.

How does one qualify for WIA, by the way?

[lostinflorida]

Qualifications for WIA

I believe if the son pays the school DIRECTLY and it does not go through you (as a gift), you shouldn't have to count as income (like lrprn says).

OR, if you call it a "loan" its not income, rather a "loan" to be paid back in the plan or reaffirmed.

But not sure any of us really knows which is best, without more detail.

How does one qualify for WIA, by the way?

I am not an expert on WIA, I just recently found out about it myself, but from what I understand, in order to qualify you must fall into one of three categories:

1. As an Adult, basically, you have to be penniless or homeless but you should be able to get the full details on your states unemployment webpage.

2. As a Displaced Worker, that is where I qualify because my company (a title insurance company) went out of business due to the poor economy. So basically if you were laid off or terminated you may be able to qualify. The purpose is to train you into a new profession if your prior profession is no longer in demand.

3. Applies to young people 18-21 I believe, so I didn't check into those requirements.

If you fall into one of those categories the state has funds set up to provide tuition assistance for job training. Each state may be different, I live in Florida. They do make you jump through a lot of hoops, a lot of paperwork, but since I am unemployed, what else do I have to do? For myself, so far, I have had to watch a 12 minute slideshow on the internet, print out a stack of papers at the end, complete an application, fill out a form showing the last 10 jobs that I have applied for and then you have to take a form to the school that you want to attend to have them complete it saying that you meet all the qualifications to take their course. After you have all that you have to schedule an appointment for an interview with a career counselor at the Unemployment office and I believe you may have to take some workshops (I haven't got that far yet, so not entirely sure). At the end of all that, if you are determined eligible and meet all their requirements, they will issue a voucher for the tuition assistance.

The lady I spoke to on the phone assured me that the state has plenty of money available for this training (maybe a lot of people are not aware of it) and when I asked her how long a process it is, she said that once you get everything done to the point of making your appt with the counselor, that it should only be about 2 weeks to get the voucher. So, not too long if she's right.

You must check the website to see which training providers are eligible and which courses are eligible. If you see the one you want on the list, it will also show you the dollar amount that the state will pay. In my case, I want to go to Mid Florida Tech for the commercial drivers course for a Class A license. I already know that the course costs a total of $2051.00. The state will pay up to $3000 for that course, so it will be completely paid for, and I have heard, although I can't verify it yet since I don't have firsthand knowledge, that they may also give you a stipend towards gas and food for school. That would be nice if it happens, but I'm not counting on it.

I would be happy to post more info as I get it.