CSA & College Courses

WhatvIdone

You know how when you are on IS you can get free tuition at college. What if you are getting the CSA payments instead of IS as the payments are £20 more than the entitled IS - can you still qualify for the free college tuition? I know on the enrolment/info forms it says free or reduced tuition if you are on a means tested benefit - it hardly seems fair if my getting £20 more a week you are not able to go to college.

Can anyone offer any advice?

Loopy_Girl

If you're not on IS then you're not on a means tested benefit.

Is this your actual life or are these all just random questions?! Why don't you just close the claim with the CSA and be fully on IS and get £20pw in your hand from your ex?

WhatvIdone

I had thought that the CSA weren't allowing you to come of the system?

What if the IS people find out that you had just closed the claim with the CSA and look into it and see you were getting more CSA than the IS they say you can have.

When I went on IS way back 8 years ago the CSA were automatically notified and I had to go through the system, there was no getting round it. Can you claim IS without going on the CSA system then? I did ask when I rang the CSA just before Christmas if I could come of the system and they told me then no. I would hate to come off it and then the IS get suspect etc.

I am not on IS now.

I was in a relationship but a week ago today he just walked out of the house to do a specific thing and he didn't come back. He did text to say that he would be back the following day but still hasn't materialised. I have sent texts and left voice mails but getting nothing back, am absolutely beside myself. But I do get CSA from my ex, and am aware that this is higher than the IS I would be entitled to. But if I got IS then my son would get his school bus paid for and free school meals and I would get reductions on school trips etc - I have 2 sons so the other would get the free school meals too, but there is no bus journey for him. If I stick to the CSA I won't get the extra help so would end up worse off than someone on less IS. Does that make sense.

I haven't made any calls as of yet as I am still waiting to see is the wanderer returns.

Loopy_Girl

Yes you can be on IS and not have the CSA involved.

This was a new ruling passed in Oct 2008 for new and existing claimants.

I suspect there maybe SoS arrears hence why the case can't be closed but if you went on IS now, you do not have to claim CSA.

I'm so sorry for what you're going through - you must be up to high heaven wondering what's going on:(

WhatvIdone

Loopy_Girl wrote: »

Yes you can be on IS and not have the CSA involved.

This was a new ruling passed in Oct 2008 for new and existing claimants.

I suspect there maybe SoS arrears hence why the case can't be closed but if you went on IS now, you do not have to claim CSA.

I'm so sorry for what you're going through - you must be up to high heaven wondering what's going on:(

What are SoS arrears? There was arrears which are being paid at £100 a month until cleared.

But, my children are 13 and 10.

Loopy_Girl

Secretary of State - arrears that accrued by the NRP when you were claiming benefits

Well if there are no arrears I don't see why you can't close your file with them?

As the PWC you have the right to close the case

WhatvIdone

I see, thank you

DUTR

WhatvIdone wrote: »

snip


I was in a relationship but a week ago today he just walked out of the house to do a specific thing and he didn't come back. He did text to say that he would be back the following day but still hasn't materialised. I have sent texts and left voice mails but getting nothing back, am absolutely beside myself. But I do get CSA from my ex,

I'm shocked and surprised that they sorted and paid your claim so swiftly :eek:, no don't cose the csa case, it is only right and just that the ex contribute to the financial support for the little one.

WhatvIdone

DUTR wrote: »

I'm shocked and surprised that they sorted and paid your claim so swiftly :eek:, no don't cose the csa case, it is only right and just that the ex contribute to the financial support for the little one.

No I meant ex husband of 9 years ago - sorry.

Loopy_Girl

DUTR wrote: »

I'm shocked and surprised that they sorted and paid your claim so swiftly :eek:, no don't cose the csa case, it is only right and just that the ex contribute to the financial support for the little one.

Agreed. But he is also supporting the whole family and not just the child and the OP could be losing out on associated benefits that IS brings.

DUTR

Loopy_Girl wrote: »

Agreed. But he is also supporting the whole family and not just the child and the OP could be losing out on associated benefits that IS brings.

Fair enough, it does seem this benefits roundabout is a horrid place to be and the sooner one can be independant of it the better