They are not my kids so why do I have to pay?

seven-day-weekend

Yes, I agree those are probably the rules, which they must abide.

I wonder why such an unfair rule was made in the first place?

kelloggs36

So that it was more fair that parents of children pay their fair share, rather than assume that their new partners don't make any financial contribution towards the household in which they live. Any NRPP who works will be paying into the household and therefore shares some of the household responsibilities - it doesn't all fall to the NRP; therefore the full allowances should not be given to the NRP (in respect of housing costs). There are so many assessments which are nil due to the housing costs taking it down to that level - yet the NRP works and also has a partner who works - the NRP should be paying child support in those instances and so the housing costs are reduced to allow them to do that.

seven-day-weekend

Right I understand now.

Soubrette

seven-day-weekend wrote: »

Right I understand now.

Is the PWC's partner included in the same way? After all, they will also share housing costs, won't they?

The PWC is already deemed as paying their share of the children's costs by virtue of having them most of the time (I have my own bugbear about this as some people share care (the best thing for the children imo) but only one can claim benefits and make a claim against the other via the CSA - that's not fair but a topic for another time)

Unless the PWC and PWCP keep everything scrupulously separate moneywise then how can the PWCP help but contribute to the cost of the children? Part of maintenance is to help pay for the roof over the children's heads, light, heat etc etc - general costs of living - even if bills are split 50%/50% then the PWCP will be making a contribution.

Income from the PWCP is also counted in any working tax credit claim (as it should be).

While I don't think it is right that income from the NRPP is counted as part of the income (and neither did the CSA in the end as people on CSA2 don't have NRPP income counted) it is fair to bear in mind that almost all PWCPs will be contributing to other people's children.

KunfuKitty you have my every sympathy about trying to support your children through university - this is a situation that I will have in 2 years time and I simply cannot afford to put money by to help them without sacrificing other choices that I feel are important to their welfare now. It is fair enough saying that students need to work but the last thing I want my children to do is have to work earning money so hard through university that their coursework suffers.

Good luck with it anyway

Sou

kelloggs36

Is the PWCP included?

Yes, in exactly the same way as the NRPP. Initially (in both cases) the NRP and the PWC get full housing costs. A departure can be allowed on both sides to allow for more money to be freed up. As for child allowances, if the PWC has a partner, their income is also assessed to determine if the child allowance should be given in full or by half.

seven-day-weekend

OK...fair enough then.

DON79

on a slightly different topic and I apologise for hijacking the thread - when do you have to stop paying CSA for your child? At what age?

My sister is likely to be in a potentially similar situation to Kungfukitty later this year when she marries and her OH moves in. What is the best way to keep their bills totally separate?

Thanks

Kungfukitty

Just to clarify Kelloggs... I have never received a penny from my children's father. I brought them up on my own with just child benefit to top up my income. My children didn't suffer for it then, but they are now, thanks to the very unfair CSA1 rules.

I don't understand why you keep ignoring the fact that my children are still in full time education! Though my kids are over eighteen the state does not recognise them as financially independent and I am expected to contribute.

The problem with CSA is that is a law unto itself with no joined up thinking with other laws.

Kungfukitty

So can my partner apply for a departures order or is it too late to do so?

Kungfukitty

Also when my partner gave his housing costs, the figure he gave was for his half only. So surely that should be taken as me already providing towards the household? This is all too confusing!