csa advice

leechy1

I have searched throught loads of pages but cant see the question before......

12 years ago I split up with the ex, I didnt know she was pregnant at the time, when the baby was born I was involved from day one for paying and looking after etc of our daughter, as we where not together at the time the ex when registering the birth left the father as unknown, she has always since that day recieved benifits for our daughter and I have always paid for everything.
Lately my daughter now 12 !!! wants to have the same surname as me, the mother has agreed to this and to change the birth cirtificate to include my name, the main question is will the CSA come after me for the last 12 years ? or will I have to start paying from now ?
my daughter stays at my house 4/5 nights a week, can the ex just stop claiming for our daughter and we set up a agreement between ourseleves ?

thanks for any advice
lee

shell_542

The benefits she has been receiving for your daughter? Were they Income Support? Has she been on Income Support for that time?

There has been a spate of CSA cases reopened recently because the arrears have hit such an amount to prompt the CSA to action. Some cases opened automatically years ago as the Parent With Care was claiming Income Support and in the past, a CSA case was opened.

What is the relationship like with your ex? Can you ask her if when she went onto IS (if she did), did they ask her about the father of the child?

Hopefully someone will be able to answer your question soon.

leechy1

as far as I know she has recieved income support since the child was born,
when she was asked who is the father she replied as 'dont know'

shell_542

Did you ever get any letters from the CSA at all?

(I'm not sure of the answer to your question, but just asking for more info that someone who might know, could ask ... if that makes sense.)

leechy1

no none whatsoever she has never approached the CSA or have they approached her, is that good or bad ?

shell_542

I would say that is a good sign that you will have no trouble from the CSA in the future then.

CSA_Debt_Bod

Lee,

Shell is correct, you have nothing to worry about. If a CSA case has not already been opened there never will be a case unless your ex requests one to be opened. The changing of the birth certificate has no bearing on the CSA at all and adding your name to it is not going to alert the CSA to your status as the father of your daughter - and even if it did, as I said they wouldn't open a case without your ex asking them to.

Hope this puts your mind at rest.

jacklink

get your name on her birth cert if your her dad, its a simple form filling excerise

missmontana

is she not committing benefit fraud then, if she's been on benefits and lied when she said the father was unknown, but you have been there since day 1 and paying for everything???

CSA_Debt_Bod

Strictly speaking she is, yes. She should have declared any money that the OP gave her to the benefits agency and her benefits would have been reduced accordingly.