csa payment increase

munchkin1510

Hi everyone, hope you can help, my fiance has 3 kids with ex wife and have received a new assessment with csa2 i think and they want £72 pw which we don't have. i am not working at the mo as have a little boy so only 1 income in our house, do the include any form of expenses/ outgoings in the assessment? Have had 2 very sleepless nights worrying about where we are going to find the extra money

Caz3121

If it is CSA2 there is a very simple formula used that does not take account of any outgoings. For 3 children it will be 25% of net pay with reductions for time the children spend overnight with him.
52-103 nights per year has a 1/7th reduction
If there are any children in your household then there is a reduction here also

scenario
weekly net £350
25% for maintenance = £87.50
children stay 52-103 nights per annum (-1/7th) = £75

shell_542

They don't take into account any outgoings at all on CSA2.

There's very little you can do really And it's wrong. A parent should provide for their children but what is the point asking for an amount a family cannot afford and then the children in the NRP's household suffer.

The only thing you could really do is perhaps both of you work part time rather than your fiance full time. That way your income is not taken into account and you may actually be able to afford a suitable amount of child support. That may not be possible I know, but an idea. Sorry you're in this position though, it must be so worrying.

Blonde_Bint

Are you sure Shell. because I thought on CSA2 it was 'household' income. I thought they did it like that, on what is brought into the house not by 'who' brings it in.

I know on CSA1 which are the rules i'm under, my wages are of no consequence to the calculation of my husbands payment for his child.

I thought on CSA2 they took all money into consideration and you dont get an allowance for an essential like child care. i've read of NRPPs who gave up their jobs because by the time they paid childcare it wasnt worth their while working.

Blonde_Bint

Just had another thought, wonder if thats why some just leave their jobs then. If they cant pay in some cases they are better off claiming benefits when you have to factor in childminding costs working can be a non goer.

shell_542

CSA2 is the new system isn't it? Since 2003?

If that's the case, all they take into account are the NRP's income and tax credits. The partner of the NRP is not taken into account.

I was under the understanding CSA1 is pre-2003 cases and in that, the family household income was taken into account.

shell_542

Blonde_Bint wrote: »

Just had another thought, wonder if thats why some just leave their jobs then. If they cant pay in some cases they are better off claiming benefits when you have to factor in childminding costs working can be a non goer.

It is. I've seen many people say "My ex has just upped and left his job so he doesn't have to pay me child support" when in fact while there may be some people out there who try to avoid their responsibilities, the way the new CSA system works, some people cannot afford to work and pay maintenance and the only option is to give up work. It's sad but true. Then when they do it, the children lose out even more.

It's why I think the CSA system is absolutely ridiculous.

kenzo54

Yes the csa is absolutely Ridiculous If they give people real amounts they can afford maybe not has many would try and get out of paying csa obviously you are going to get the odd idiot who won't face up to there responsibiltys.
I thought csa1 was a waste of space system but the second is totally worse what csa3 going to be like in 2011.

Dancing_Shoes

They will also take into account any pension contributions you make. It is not the nicest thing to go through but I have learnt in the past few weeks that knowledge is power and if you want to fight your case the nacsa are absolute angels!!

munchkin1510

Thanks for all the information, bascially we are screwed and i will have to go back to work and miss my child growing up. OH has spoken to CSA tonight and has been told to appeal, any help appreciated on what to write.

Dancing_Shoes

If you are wanting to appeal and can afford the £45 minimum donation then the nacsa would be a brilliant resource to you. I am sorry that you are in this position, it is a position that alot of 2nd families find themselves in. Are you on speaking terms with your pwc?