New system in October

Mrs_pbradley936

I could do with a bit of clarification here. My son and his girlfriend get on very well but cannot live together at the moment. Their intention was for him to give her about £30 per week as a regular payment/income/allowance or whatever the term is plus buy clothes, shoes, toys etc. Apparently from October you need not use the CSA if you are on good terms. Anyway my point is that if you do a calculation on their site it says that an absent parent ought to give say £18 per week and that the other parent would get £10, well who gets the other £8 in that case? She will be on some sort of benefit because she will have no income and two children.

Full story of their circumstances here if it helps:
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=1156657

iluvfreebies

if the money is being paid directly - the parent with care will still have to declare that money to the benefit agency who will deduct her income support by the amount that she is receiving over and above the amount she is allowed (£10 at present).

Mrs_pbradley936

So would he be better off giving her just £10 (it does say £20 on the site) as a regular payment and buying more things? Or is that not allowed?

kelloggs36

The disregarded amount is increasing to £20 per week - so he could give her £20 per week which she would still need to declare incase it increases, but it wouldn't affect her benefit.

enemes

Mrs_pbradley936 wrote: »

.... get on very well but cannot live together at the moment.

.... like the vast majority of the population! Sorry, just me being cynical.

I reckon they want to keep the CSA out of this if possible, if they are being amicable. For the sake of a couple of quid, bringing the machinery in may be counter-productive.

However, having said that, lets be realistic, that despite your hopes of "at the moment", things may be less amicable in the future, especially if either or one of the parents form another relationship with a less understanding partner. You are in a difficult position, because you want to preserve the interests of your son, but also that of your grandchild, so perhaps going the CSA route may offer everyone the "agreement" that your grandchild will be supported no matter what happens in the future.

Good luck, but it is the childs interest that is paramount here.

Glittermonkey

Mrs_pbradley936 wrote: »

I could do with a bit of clarification here. My son and his girlfriend get on very well but cannot live together at the moment. Their intention was for him to give her about £30 per week as a regular payment/income/allowance or whatever the term is plus buy clothes, shoes, toys etc. Apparently from October you need not use the CSA if you are on good terms. Anyway my point is that if you do a calculation on their site it says that an absent parent ought to give say £18 per week and that the other parent would get £10, well who gets the other £8 in that case? She will be on some sort of benefit because she will have no income and two children.

Full story of their circumstances here if it helps:
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=1156657

I dont live with my ex and we dont go through the CSA. We've always had a mutual agreement that works for both of us so didn't see the need to involve the CSA. If I did go thorugh the CSA, I'd get less from him anyway.

I read your other post, your son and his gf are still together? I dont see why they would get the CSA involved if they are still a couple?

Loopy_Girl

Glittermonkey wrote: »

I read your other post, your son and his gf are still together? I dont see why they would get the CSA involved if they are still a couple?

Looks like since they are not going to be living in the same house but, as you say, they are still a couple she is going to claim lone parent benefits.

Mrs_pbradley936

Glittermonkey wrote: »

I dont live with my ex and we dont go through the CSA. We've always had a mutual agreement that works for both of us so didn't see the need to involve the CSA. If I did go thorugh the CSA, I'd get less from him anyway.

I read your other post, your son and his gf are still together? I dont see why they would get the CSA involved if they are still a couple?

Yes they are still together but I am not sure of how any of this works. My main concern on the other thread was that anything I gave or bought the child would not be a problem for the mother. She needs some sort of benefit because she will have 2 children and no income although if you read the other thread she need not claim if my son could share the house she lives in now. He cannot because her ex is afraid of the legal complications.

Loopy_Girl

Mrs_pbradley936 wrote: »

Yes they are still together but I am not sure of how any of this works. My main concern on the other thread was that anything I gave or bought the child would not be a problem for the mother. She needs some sort of benefit because she will have 2 children and no income although if you read the other thread she need not claim if my son could share the house she lives in now. He cannot because her ex is afraid of the legal complications.

No it won't be a problem. You are a Nana and are entitled to buy anything you want for your Grandchild and it would not interfere with her benefits. Good lord if that was the case then when I had my little girl and was claiming benefits at the time then I would have lived on bread and water as my little girl was a very lucky girl who got lots and lots of things from her Nana and Grandad!!!:D

If your Son pays £30 then the g/f will need to declare it to DWP and what will happen is that they will adjust her IS and deduct £10.00 a week as she is allowed to keep the first £20.00 of maintenance.

I really hope a resolution can be reached and that your Son and his g/f get to live as a little family as I get the impression that is what is really wanted by all

Good luck x

Loopy_Girl

Sorry...just read your other post and thought I would answer...

Technically yes your Son could give £20.00 and then buy stuff but you have to tread carefully here and there's a thin line between helping and benefit fraud and all it takes is one snoopy do-gooder to upset the applecart.

Don't let him give money for any bills or food shop or anything like that as that is classed as helping with the household budget and should be declared.

It's a tricky one...personally I think handing her £20 and a big pack of nappies a week is fine but others may disagree (mind you, we are a bit more forgiving on this board than others!). Technically he is helping the budget as he is saving the g/f money she would have had to have spent but on the other hand he is only buying what his child needs.

I would say just give money and a pack of nappies or a tin of milk or whatever as his 'dues' to her and then he (and you) can spoil the baby with whatever it needs/you see and go 'awwww' as you see fit:D