Child Maintenance (CSA) questions (merged)

Floss

DWP cover the CSA - i.e. when I ring them, i get the DWP answering.

His best bet is as Hobo28 says - if he wants to give her some maintenance, do it via the bank so there is a record - and remember that what he gives her will be deducted from her benefit, so the kids may be better off if he buys maybe school uniforms, new shoes etc on an agreed-in-writing basis to help her out.

princess_pink

Not sure but you also may find that as he is paying the mortgage this could be counted as money towards the childrens upkeep as it were. Please advise him to get a good solicitor otherwise he could end up being stung paying for the house and extra on top. Is he certain his ex will sell the house?

comping_cat

I would def get a solicitor, like Floss says, any money he gives her now must be declared by his ex wife and will be deducted off her benefits. The problem with buying shoes/clothes etc is that the CSA wont take any of that into consideration when working out what he will need to pay. My ex, as he pays a pittance in CSA money, refuses to help with anything else as he says he has paid his bit (right!!!) and as he does pay CSA he doesnt have to pay anything else either!!!!

hobo28

At least he pays cat. My partner's ex never pays and doesn't even see them.

Ystrad_Lad

CSA is part of the DWP. They tend to make first approaches by phone. NEVER accept calls from them, always insist on it in writing. If it is a genuine approach they will send forms asking the father to confirm that the children are his. Once this is done they will send more forms asking for his income details etc. They can also get this info from his NI number which his ex may give them. If he delays in responding to the CSA they will get the info from his employer and issue him with their assessment of how much he has to pay.

They will not accept any payments made prior to the initial claim date. Any other voluntary payments he makes should be matched with a signed, dated receipt from the ex stating clearly that the money is for child maintenance. The CSA will not accept his mortgage payments in lieu of maintenance.

Good advice from hobo28.

Get a good divorce lawyer.

If this person from the Job Centre rings back get their name etc and reprt them for unprofessional behaviour.

Mr_Mister

So I guess its best for my friend to wait till the CSA to contact him in writing. Does this mean that the payments due will be backdated to the the date he first received a call from the DWP/Job Centre?

seven-day-weekend

I feel so sorry for parents who are so bitter and twisted towards each other that each one is saying the other isn't doing enough. How is this good for the children? (I DO understand that there are parents around who won't pay). Why can't the financial maintenance of the children be 50-50 with no questions asked? And any extra such as staying the night etc., should be just that.....extra.

hobo28

seven-day-weekend wrote:

I feel so sorry for parents who are so bitter and twisted towards each other that each one is saying the other isn't doing enough. How is this good for the children? (I DO understand that there are parents around who won't pay). Why can't the financial maintenance of the children be 50-50 with no questions asked? And any extra such as staying the night etc., should be just that.....extra.

Before I became a single parent I would have totally agreed with you. Then one day I became one and it was like this whole side which I'd never taken into consideration.

Lady_S

seven day - I would also tell your friend that the 'back dated' money he will owe has to be paid back, the maximum they can take is 5% of his pay a month, and if you are nice to your case worker you can usually get it discounted.

Scarlett1

I have just found out the reason im not getting my £10 premium is because my ex has jacked in his job and now on benefits :mad:

My case worker said that I will be entitled to £5 per week (better than a wart on the end of my nose) but it will take 6 weeks to action :rolleyes: I doubt that will be backdated