CSA/IS Questions Galore!

Loopy_Girl

WhatvIdone wrote: »

LOL so I guess no-one can answer my questions then about the free prescriptions/school meals etc if getting the CSA payments?

You wouldn't get the free school meals as you can only get the free school meals/vouchers for uniform is you are in receipt of a prescribed benefit of which IS is. This is at the moment if your CSA payments were more than the IS rates. If that was the case at the moment then you wouldn't be entitled to claim any benefits so thus wouldn't be entitled.
With regards to the free scripts, you would not automatically be entitled to free ones if you weren't on IS however, you could apply under the low income scheme (HC2 form) to have this looked at.

Come 2010 when you can keep all your CSA plus your IS then you will automatically be entitled to free scripts and associated plus your free school meals as you are in receipt of a prescribed benefit.

Simples:D

WhatvIdone

Loopy_Girl wrote: »

You wouldn't get the free school meals as you can only get the free school meals/vouchers for uniform is you are in receipt of a prescribed benefit of which IS is. This is at the moment if your CSA payments were more than the IS rates. If that was the case at the moment then you wouldn't be entitled to claim any benefits so thus wouldn't be entitled.
With regards to the free scripts, you would not automatically be entitled to free ones if you weren't on IS however, you could apply under the low income scheme (HC2 form) to have this looked at.

Come 2010 when you can keep all your CSA plus your IS then you will automatically be entitled to free scripts and associated plus your free school meals as you are in receipt of a prescribed benefit.

Simples:D

Hmm so if the CSA payments were as the other poster said only £20 more than IS you still wouldn't get the free scripts, school meals etc - that doesn't seem too fair to me really.

So in 2010 if you are getting CSA instead of IS, do you then apply for IS as well or would you automatically get sent the forms??

Also are you legible for HB and CTB if you get the CSA payments?

Loopy_Girl

WhatvIdone wrote: »

Hmm so if the CSA payments were as the other poster said only £20 more than IS you still wouldn't get the free scripts, school meals etc - that doesn't seem too fair to me really.

So in 2010 if you are getting CSA instead of IS, do you then apply for IS as well or would you automatically get sent the forms??

Also are you legible for HB and CTB if you get the CSA payments?

Maybe not fair but at least you don't have the stigma of being the quintessential lone parent on benefits

I would assume that you would have to apply once the new rules come in

Are you talking about just CSA payments or CSA plus IS?

Loopy_Girl

And anyway, there's nothing to say that you wouldn't get free scripts/HB/CTC etc whilst getting CSA payments solely.

The only difference is that you would have to apply for them as oppose to being in IS where they become automatic which I'm sure you'd agree is fair as they have to check a persons income before giving help.

WhatvIdone

Loopy_Girl wrote: »

Are you talking about just CSA payments or CSA plus IS?

Which bit? lol

Loopy_Girl

WhatvIdone wrote: »

Which bit? lol

"are you legible for HB and CTB if you get the CSA payments"

WhatvIdone

If you were to only get CSA now would you still be able to get HB and CTB?

Okay and I'll ask - in 2010 when you are able to have CSA and IS are you still able to get HB and CTB?

Loopy_Girl

WhatvIdone wrote: »

If you were to only get CSA now would you still be able to get HB and CTB?

Okay and I'll ask - in 2010 when you are able to have CSA and IS are you still able to get HB and CTB?

Yes. You are in receipt of a prescribed benefit (IS) so would automatically be entitled to claim HB and CTB. This is me assuming of course that a) the CSA proposal goes through and b) the government doesn't come up with some kind of change in the benefit system to allow lone parents to get full CSA plus IS and also be eligible to claim HB and CTB.

If you are talking about now then you wouldn't automatically be entitled to it but you can apply to the local council with a breakdown of your income.

WhatvIdone

I do mean if CSA is your only income. I thought that yes you were entitled to HB and CTB?

Loopy_Girl

WhatvIdone wrote: »

I do mean if CSA is your only income. I thought that yes you were entitled to HB and CTB?

You might be. It depends on how much CSA only income you are receiving.

Someone getting £150pw CSA is obviously more likely to be entitled for help with housing and CT rather than someone who is getting £300pw.

It's not an automatic right. Like many benefits for people that aren't in receipt of a prescribed benefit, you have to seek them out yourself and apply.