Child Benefit - get it if you can

Red_Creative

After showing proof of the pattern of care ever since I parted from my ex (200 nights + per year), to a csa officer, I was asked why I didn't claim the Child Benefit. I was told that if I applied successfully then my ex cannot claim through the csa!
It took my over 6 months, providing copies of diaries, calendars, emails, and even 'witness' statements, and then it was changed to my name, backdated to the time I put the claim in (March 2009).
Thinking that was the end of the matter, I have just received another letter from the csa asking for more income details - 2008 - 2009, (originally it was for March/April/May 2009. They are asking for payments going back to May 2008 when my ex first submitted her claim to them.
Can they still claim against me for pre my Child benefit start date - March 2009?
Also, as my daughter started school in Januray 2009, she attended nursery since she was 6 months old - which I paid for! Could this be taken into account by the csa?
I have always provided everything my daughter needed, both financially and otherwise (eg: children's parties, holidays, even arranging the school!)
For the record, my ex is only claiming for my daughter, as she herself has worked, earning up to £40k p.a.

meltdown_point

what sort of witness statements?

shell_542

Yes they can still claim the arrears from the date the case was opened to the date you were no longer the Non Resident Parent ... unless the Parent With Care asks them to clear the arrears? Is that likely to happen? lol

And no, they wont take into account you paying the nursery fees unfortunately.

speedster

have you applied to the csa yourself yet?

after all, the child does not miraculously become free to look after because you care for her.

missmontana

sorry if I'm being thick :huh: but why is you ex even claiming from the csa with all that you have provided and the fact she is in a high earning job??

I wish i had an ex like you!!

The nursery fees, parties, holidays etc are probably taken as payments in kind. They go on top of any maintenance you pay.

Did you never have a private agreement?

Red_Creative

meltdown_point wrote: »

what sort of witness statements?

Anyone who was prepared to be contacted by them if they chose to, and who wrote letters to that effect, stating when, and how much, I have my daughter - friends, employers, regular places that we go etc.

Red_Creative

speedster wrote: »

have you applied to the csa yourself yet?

after all, the child does not miraculously become free to look after because you care for her.

I have recently been made aware of that. How MAD is this situation? I have to propose to my ex (no pun intended!), that I will peruse HER for maintenance unless she cancels the original claim!

Red_Creative

missmontana wrote: »

sorry if I'm being thick :huh: but why is you ex even claiming from the csa with all that you have provided and the fact she is in a high earning job??

I wish i had an ex like you!!

The nursery fees, parties, holidays etc are probably taken as payments in kind. They go on top of any maintenance you pay.

Did you never have a private agreement?

Why indeed!
People have suggested that it's one last way to try and exert some control over me.
I have always more than met any financial responsibilities for my child: purchased 6 full days worth of school uniform for my daughter, (I actually arranged the school as her mother 'forgot'!), have taken her on holiday each year, (her mother has had 5 holidays without her), and basically, without spoiling her, she wants for nothing.
Well, my ex and I didn't part as friends, that's for sure. Without too much digression, she was a total control freak, used to routinely go though my things, was unfaithful on more than one occasion, fraudulently signed my name on a standing order, (and also tried to take out a loan over the telephone 'with my permission', except I came home a bit earlier than usual and heard her!), etc, etc.
It was only after a 21 months after we split up that she initiated the claim.

missmontana

wow, I haven't asked mine for a penny for the last 7 years, once he helped with school uniform, bought about half, when my child first started. Hasn't offered since.

Are you single?