Need advice re redundant dad

Sarah1971

Hi,

I've always had problems with my ex husband paying his way when it comes to the children (boys aged 8 and 4 years), excuse after excuse over the last 4 or so years...I've never got the CSA involved as every time I "threatened" him with that he seemed to magic some money from somewhere

Anyway for the last 12 months or so he has made regular payments to me of £400 per month, up until last month.

Apparantly (I say apparantly as he is a serial liar...:mad: ) he has been made redundant from a job he's not been in for very long and basically has no money, lost his company car and living with his parents AGAIN (he's 37).

He does seem to be telling the truth this time as he is back at his parents and has no car etc and is actively looking for work...signed on to claim benefits etc etc...

In the meantime I am £400 a month down every month and I am going to be struggling AGAIN:(

What steps do i need to take?? Is it worth contacting the CSA or do I wait until he gets a job?? (could be another few months in this climate!!) Is there any help for working single mums when maintenance money just suddenly stops??

Thanks

Sarah

N71

If you go to the CSA, and he is claiming benefits, you'd get £5 a week from his benefits, which could be reassessed when he gets a new job.

It depends if you think its worth involving the CSA for the sake of £5 per week, and if you think he'll tell you when he comes off benefits to start work.

dimbo61

In a word NO
He would under CSA rules have to pay you £5 a week out of his JSA ( job seekers allowance )
If you are working over 16 hours a week you get WTC,CTC,CB, Maintence ( when he pays ) and your income from work.
I think you can also claim 80% of childcare costs for your kids.
Maybe you could let DAD have the kids more often as he has lots of time on his hands ( and kids need to be entertained !! Ice cream, pictures, meals out etc )
If he sees the kids more often he will understand the costs involved!
Granparents will also sometimes help with new clothes etc.
Then when your EX gets a job you will know because he cant have the kids during the week !!
Share the costs and the joy of your 2 boys

Sarah1971

Thanks for your advice, think getting the CSA involved will be my last resort - lets just hope he tells me when he starts work.....he doesn't want me to contact them as that opens another can of worms for him and his sordid past!

ATM I work (self emp) get tax credits and maint (well used to get maint!)

He doesn't and will never realise how much it costs to bring children up as he left when my youngest was newborn and has only ever had them one to two nights per month (not consecutive) either at his parents or his current wife/girlfriend/fiance....(another issue with him is his lack of commitment to women and my children getting confused who their latest "step family" is.....but thats another story for another forum!!:mad: )