New rules - Does PWC on benefit receive ALL the maintenance?

abt101

I am an NRP and been paying maintenance for the last 2 years. My ex was getting around £10 a week of the £600 a month that I paid, as she was on benefits. The rest went on subsidising her benefits.
I notice now that the rules seem to have changed and that the payments now go directly to the PWC? It is then upto her to tell the DWP that she is getting this extra money so that they can reduce her benefit payments. Is this correct?
If so I have a horrible feeling that she isn't telling them and still getting all of her benefits PLUS the £600 month from me.
Can someone please advise if this is the case or whether PWC on benefit still only receives the £10 (think it may now be £20) a week ??
Thanks ABT

blimey40

If you are paying £600 a month, she should not be claiming benfits. Contact the CSA who will contact the relevant parties, in turn they will stop her benefits. If you are paying £150 a week (estimate) to PWC, then she is taking the benfits illegally. Not sure if she can get some help, but certainly not full benefit payments.

Are youi paying the CSA or PWC directly?

abt101

I pay the CSA.
Its just that in Oct the rules changed and I think that they now pass on ALL the money to her, and the emphasise isnow on her to inform the benefits people of her addtional income. I am not sure though.

blimey40

yes you are right, she should

abt101

So sounds like I need to get on the fraud hotline for an investigation. She has just bought a nice new TV and always has new clothes (her not the kids!! )) :mad:

kelloggs36

AT the moment she should only be keeping the first £20 of the CSA money as the rest of her benefits is reduced penny for penny.

abt101

kelloggs36 wrote: »

AT the moment she should only be keeping the first £20 of the CSA money as the rest of her benefits is reduced penny for penny.

Yes but does she actually get all the money from the CSA and then have to declare it, or do they only give her £20 and then they keep the rest (or pass to DWP) to offset the benefits?

kelloggs36

She gets it and has to declare it - they then reduce her payments accordingly.

abt101

kelloggs36 wrote: »

She gets it and has to declare it - they then reduce her payments accordingly.

Thanks thats what I needed to know.

I'm amazed that the DWP now trust that all PWCs will now declare all this extra money that they start receiving as of October last year. I'm not saying that all claimants are not trustworthy by any means, but this particular person in question has proven in the past that she would definitely take all that she can!

I have reason to believe she isn't declaring it which is fraud so I will inform the benefits fraud hotline. If she is declaring then all is fine. No harm done I guess? Many thanks Kelloggs

jmt11

fraud hotline?? is this for the csa or benefits??
my ex has apparently quit her job (been sacked!) and i cant see her surviving off the money i pay directly to her (which was sorted out by the csa), who would i contact to investigate whether she's claiming benefits whilst receiving all of my money??

abt101

I assume just the usual benefit fraud telephone line or website.
It would go down as undeclared income I suppose.