does petrol allowance affect benefits?

[midorimum]

the local council have finally agreed to pay me petrol expenses to transport my son to his special needs nursery placement as he couldnt go in a taxi as he has very poor head control and is frequently car sick.
ive been taking him by myself for 2 years but will now be getting 25p a mile which works out at roughly £26 a week.

does anyone know if this will count as income for child tax credits and housing benefit?

I don't think so - but don't quote me on it. I used to get a petrol allowance when I worked, and it doesn't affect anything else. It will not affect your tax credita, as you have paid the tax when you bought the petrol, so you can't pay that again!! Wouldn't have thought it could affect housing benefit either, but maybe someone else will come along who's had experience of this.