Maintenence Bonus???

CIS

They are stopping it, I read somwehere that new claimants only have a limited time to claim.

From direct.gov.uk

The Child Maintenance Bonus is being phased out and will be replaced by Child Maintenance Premium.

Tabbykatt

CIS- I am soon going to be an expert on Maintenence Bonus! It is being phased out as new claims are being based on the new system of the claimant keeping £10 per week of the maintenence payments the absent parent pays (the maintenence premium), rather than having a lump sum at the end. When it changed over in April 2003 I was sent a letter stating that my account would be transferred as soon as possible so that I too would be getting the extra £520 per annum, and suprise suprise 2.5yrs later I am still waiting!
I have found out that the Maintenence Bonus is not related to the Maintenence Premium like I first thought, the Bonus is a 'reward' under the old system for coming off benefits and going back to work. but the way I see it and maybe others may too is that I will be working, being a parent is a job! If it wasn't so hard then why are childminders paid for doing the very same job by those parents who wish to work? It is assumed that mothers/fathers that stay at home and look after their own children do not work... I for one would like that assumption changed!
As for the £1300 that I have been underpaid due to the inefficency of the CSA- why should I feel guilty for thinking that I have been treated unfairly? I have scrimped for the last 3yrs to feed/clothe/house my children on £120 per week, living off this amount esp. in the South of England is not easy, living in this day and age when material things are thought more worthy that love and nurturing. In the beginning I lost my dignity and self-respect, being treated like a third class citizen by many (not all) employees of the Government institutions, but I can hold my head up high and say that I NEVER took anything I was not entitled to and have not spent any money on luxuries such as cigerettes, going out, junk food etc!
I really do apologise for doing a 'poor little me' routine... I am lucky enough to have found a wonderful man who is prepared to take on the financial responsibilty of my family (as well as the emotional and fatherly duties of course!). My new life starts from 17th December, BUT I will not be told by any more beaurocrats that I am only worthy if I were to go back to work and stop being a Mum!!

camper

"I think you owe tabbykatt an apology."

sorry VenuS, I don't think so.

In law, it doesn't matter that two people have separate addresses. This lady stated 'they couldn't afford' two housing committments, which indicates they had discussed joint finances. The social security law uses this as part of the living together check.

Often couples have to live apart for work/medical reasons/educational purposes/etc, so different addresses does not mean that they are treated as separate.

Why couldn't they live together and rent out a property to pay that house' bills?
Why should they continue to get benefits just because it suited them?

Tabbykatt

Oh Camper, what tunnel vision you have.
You automatically assumed that the reason why we were not living together sooner was about the pure financial side. In fact the reason was that we were both tied into tenancy agreements (you know, those things in law that state you have to pay the rent on the property for however long you have signed the agreement for!)... We could not have relinquished one property any earlier without hefty payments to either landlord and in this day and age who could throw nearly six thousand pounds away? We have still had to pay a couple of months of my new husbands old house but that was unavoidable.

Of course we discussed our finances when I found out I was expecting, but alas Camper, not some snidy conversation about how much we could rip off the state, but one about how we were going to resolve the situation as quickly as we could as the last thing I have EVER intended is to rip off the honest Tax Payer but thanks for the advice Camper, next time I will remember that if I discuss finances with anyone, then that must mean that we are living together... wonder how my sister would feel if she knew her husband was infact living with HIS business partner! Does that count as infidelity?

It has now been 3 weeks since I escaped from the benefit system and boy does it feel good that I dont have to explain my personal life to people behind desks anymore, esp those who think that if you are in reciept of benefits you lose all your personal rights and dignity.
I am now going to discuss finances with someone on benefits, just cos I feel like doing something unlawfull :rolleyes: