£20 Per Week Maintanance

confusedandscared_2

Im soon to be made redundant. I understand that if im unemployed for longer than 6 months and go on to income based jsa that what my ex partner gives me affects my benefits. I get to keep £20 and the rest indirectly goes to them. Whats the point in him paying more then £20 if the children are not benefiting. I would rather my ex kept the extra money to himself as he struggles with debts. Can I not just claim £20.00 child maintenance off him per week if I find myself claiming income based jsa or would the benefits agency or other authority force him to pay more. Either way Its not going to make me better or worse off. I have two teenage kids.

Loopy_Girl

Yes you can make an arrangement to pay £20.00 per week.

The point of him paying more and the surplus going to the state is that, whilst you are unemployed, you will receive benefits for your children. The argument is that your ex should be covering some of these costs by paying an amount over and above the £20.00.

I have my own views on it and am not about to go into it - am merely giving you the reasons

confusedandscared_2

Yes I know but the measley amount the benefits pay is shocking. I just hope that I dont have to sign on at all and get a job. I understand your view though. I dont know how anyone can live off these benefits and survive. Dont get me wrong Im not used to money at all, I have been struggling most of my life. Its just a scary future for all of us.

Loopy_Girl

To be honest it's not my view. I am vehemently for NRP's to pay for their kids but I am inclined to agree with you - particularly if the PWC has worked and will work again as in your case.

As for the living on benefits, you'll manage I promise!! I claimed IS for a few years and have been working for over 2 years now and can safely say that the more you have, the more you spend. Might be a wee bit of adjustment but you'll get there. Benefits for lone parents are pretty good actually all things considered. You might need to 'downgrade' in brands etc but always remember you will get there. It's a short term thing - always remind yourself of that - and the benefit system is there to help in these situations.

The media would like to portray lone parents are !!!!less scroungers who pop kids out like shelling peas for more benefit money and, whilst there are some - of course there are, the majority are hardworking parents who try to juggle trillions of balls in the air on a daily basis!!!

the_rottweiler

Hi, I asked a very similar qestion last week and some very nice people answered my questions fully, hope this helps

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?p=19661517#post19661517