Child Tax Credit - how much can they take?

loobyloo0302

Thanks for the reply. I suspected as much as although the CSA have their rules and ways of calculating child support, it doesn't actually work that way when a payment schedule hits the mat, eh. This will really bug me now, lol

Sorry,my question was probably a little confusing. Its 2 families, first pwc with 2 children already recieving csa and the second pwc applying for csa but with 3 children, sorry

shell_542

I can imagine spending a lot more than child benefit on older children. I can safely say I don't at the moment, they are still young. But then my children don't have loads of clothes and only get new toys at birthday/Christmas.

It does depend on your own circumstances. I read on here I think, someone complaining their elder children cost them lots, like for example their driving lessons for their 17 year old. My first thought was, why on earth can't the 17 yr old pay for their own driving lesson if their Mum can't afford it?! Lol Different opinions.

As for how child support is split for more than 3 kids, I always thought the total 25% was split between however many children and then paid to the appropriate PWC.

loobyloo0302

shell_542 wrote: »

I can imagine spending a lot more than child benefit on older children. I can safely say I don't at the moment, they are still young. But then my children don't have loads of clothes and only get new toys at birthday/Christmas.

It does depend on your own circumstances. I read on here I think, someone complaining their elder children cost them lots, like for example their driving lessons for their 17 year old. My first thought was, why on earth can't the 17 yr old pay for their own driving lesson if their Mum can't afford it?! Lol Different opinions.

As for how child support is split for more than 3 kids, I always thought the total 25% was split between however many children and then paid to the appropriate PWC.

I'd say I spend a alot on the little ones but then I can imagine spending an absolute fortune on them when they're older too. At the moment, they're only babies so constantly growing. Its a case of I don't have much choice but to buy new shoes and clothes as as quick as they've worn them, they've grown out of them. Birthdays and christmas are easy at the mo. I've just bought my sons birthday presents for 2 weeks time, and it was a case of 2 large toys and then the rest just small or cheap things so he has more stuff wrapped up to open. He doesn'tknow the difference at 2, he just sees lots of things. The only things he'll be interested in on his birthday will be the helium balloons, little party toys and birthday cake. When they're older htough, I know this will be a COMPLETELY different story as they'll be able to work out how much has been spent on them.. silly really..

Thanks for the reply on the question, that's what I assumed but you never know, just a definite answer to put my little head to rest, lol. I haven't applied by the way before anyone suggests I'm tallying up howmuch I could get, as much of a bottom hole as he is, I don't think I could take him to the CSA.. but then again, I doubt my kids would get anything if I didn't,as he wouldn't be able to afford to pay double what he pays now.. blimey, dilema! Anyway, its just a sort of, curiosity question

LizzieS_2

helpmehelpme wrote: »

Are you serious Lizzie??

Yes I am serious, people should make choices they can afford whether they are a first or second time family.

Are you saying that I as the NRPP, should not have ANY children because my husband of 15 years got trapped by his ex at 18 (which in CSA eyes is still a child lol), and then she went off with someone else and will not allow him to see the kids. AND so is it okay for her to go on to have extra children, oh well I suppose it must be as that is only beneficial to her claim as will reduce her assessed income and she can claim more benefits!!!

Not syaing you should not have children at all - saying don't complain if you have a child that you know you cannot afford. Same with his ex - her choice, her expense.

I agree that a man should support his children, that said I mean all children not just the ones from the PWC.

Comes down to taking on what you can afford, or accepting you cannot afford the same twice.

So in essence superstressed, while you have to pay your gas, elec etc from YOUR child tax credit (basically your kids are paying for you), the pwc gets to keep all of theirs on top of your maintenance (as maintenance is not calculated as income for them). Sucks I know, in a pretty similar situation ourselves!!!

Tax credits are included in csa assessments under csa2, but there is also a reduction for stepchildren from nrp earnings - now not all nrps actually receive a great deal of tax credits = many natural children of a nrp lose out to non-natural children that the nrp has chosen to support.

LizzieS_2

chriszzz wrote: »

I agree with one thing and that is nrp should pay for their child/ren and that it is there responsibility but its not a fair way of doing this , for example a colleague whom i work with her brother recently split from his ex, they have three children. He had to leave the family home with nothing, had to leave what he too worked hard for and start all over again, taking into consideration that he has to pay just under 200 a month maintenance , now that might not seem alot for three children. He is paid fortnightly and after tax and child support his net income is 309.00. his outgoings for the fortnight is eg

130 rent
39 council tax
23 water
25 electric
20 gas
237

He is supose to furnish his flat, buy food and then whatever else he needs to live on, some days he had to walk to work, needless to say he only lasted 3months and realised he just couldnt afford to live independently, He had to ask his parents if he could go back and live at home with them.

My colleagues brother was working 40hrs a week and just could not afford to be the man he once was, his ex was having affairs behind his back and he lost out.

So there are cases like this are quite disturbing, not every nrp has lots of money to start all over again.

And in the days before tax credits, how would he have supported a stay at home mum plus child, or even working mum and childcare costs?

Basically this is an example of some-one who could happily take the tax credits to pay for their child when part of a couple, but suddenly sees himself as far more important than the offspring.

Where does he live to pay £39 per fortnight council tax, after the 25% single occupant discount?

The gas and elec seem way too high for someone out of the house for well above actual working hours of 40pw, sleeping hours etc.

Seriously, I don't think a minimum wage job would suit a single person who wants to live alone.

LizzieS_2

shell_542 wrote: »

As for how child support is split for more than 3 kids, I always thought the total 25% was split between however many children and then paid to the appropriate PWC.

Assuming £100 is 25%.

2/5 would go to pwc with 2 children = £40
and
3/5 would go to pwc with 3 children = £60

shell_542

That's what I thought.

space_rider

Sou, they listed his income. Then took off the amount for his living expenses. What was left is enough for his oldest child maintenance which leaves nothing for my child. When I had this child, I couldn't say to her that she can't be fed clothed etc. What I earn is shared between all my children. That is on the old system. I've never been switched over to the new system so don't know if it would be any different.

kelloggs36

ON the old system there would still be a split - it wouldn't be some for one and none for another!

shell_542

LizzieS wrote: »

Tax credits are included in csa assessments under csa2, but there is also a reduction for stepchildren from nrp earnings - now not all nrps actually receive a great deal of tax credits = many natural children of a nrp lose out to non-natural children that the nrp has chosen to support.

Not all NRPs end up supporting step children. Many go on to have their own children with a new partner. The natural children would then have less spent on them ... just like if the PWC and NRP stayed together and had more children themselves.

I understand it must be annoying if someones ex has gone on to support a new partner's children and seems to begrudge supporting their own but these arguments always seem to come back down to NRPs supporting step children. Many NRPs have their own natural children with a NRPP.