CSA/IS Questions Galore!

elf06

Really? I know sooooo little about all this
I was just under the impression that if you werent married the the father had to be there but knew the laws were different in England (thing time scales are different too??)
So if he isnt named on the birth certificate but is paying maintenance (hypothetical question obv) then what rights would he have?

Loopy_Girl

Legally he has none.

You're right - unmarried fathers DO have to be there (and that's for all UK) but if you have a DNA test proving paternity and you want the father's name on the certificate then you can do the DoP - I know as I done it

You need a family law lawyer obviously and he writes out asking the father to sign the form and if he refuses then you apply to the courts and the courts sanction it. You then get a letter and you go down and re-register the birth.

So my daughter has 2 birth certificates which are dated a year apart!!

elf06

:rotfl: That will confuse her! I am not really worried about his name on the birth certificate I just had no idea it could be done. Apart from anything else I couldnt afford a lawyer to do it. I have seen one previously and she was great but they really do cost a fortune! :eek:
Really glad that they no longer put father unknown in the box because I believe thats the way it used to be if the father wasnt with you at time of registering (even if there was no doubt). Anyways I appreciate your help - if I think of any other questions I know where I'll ask

elf06

Ok thought of something else - what happens if he ignores any letters??

onetomany

soz i havent read the whole trhread but 6 years aga i aplayed for is,council tax and hb, but beacause i was reciving 100 a week from x i was told i was better of not claiming is, so i got a little towards my hb, nothing really of council tax and i claimed a bit of ctc, i wasnt better of at the time hope this helps

PlayingHardball

Hiya OP...
finally, something I do know...

You are entitled to free school meals if you are claiming Child Tax Credit (but NOT WTC) as long as your income is less that £15,500 - (that is roughtly the figure but not exact)

Child support is NOT taken into account.

This I know to be fact. Go for it, it represents a nice meal for your child which would otherwise cost £450 per year, and the school will be able to claim that back into their budget.

Sorry can't answer the other questions but hope this helps in a small way.

PlayingHardball

Sorry, I think I jumped the gun, your question was if you received Child support instead of Income support/tax credits. If that was the case, then no, there wouldn't be free school meals.

Sorry I didn't grasp that in the first instance

LizzieS_2

PlayingHardball wrote: »

Sorry, I think I jumped the gun, your question was if you received Child support instead of Income support/tax credits. If that was the case, then no, there wouldn't be free school meals.

Sorry I didn't grasp that in the first instance

Income support is a passport to free school meals, but it is not the only method. You can apply if on a low income (council decides) which as a general rule is if you are entitled to CTC only (ie your working hours and that of any partner is under 16 per week) and your income is under £15050pa (excludes csa?).

PlayingHardball

Hi LIzzie, thanks for that. I know that a lot of parents get tripped up when applying for free school meals when they also collect working tax credit over and above child tax credit. As you stated, the working tax credit means the child won't get free meals (even if the income is under £15,050. Isn't that daft!

Yes, IS is a sure passport. Financially struggling parents should be entitled to all of the help available out there, sometimes the rules make it very difficult though

Loopy_Girl

PlayingHardball wrote: »

As you stated, the working tax credit means the child won't get free meals (even if the income is under £15,050. Isn't that daft!

I agree - that has to be the daftest rule ever!!! You get them if your income is under £15,050 but oh no, that can't included WTC!!! The majority of working lone parents (and a far few families I would imagine) income IS under that figure!!!:rotfl: