Ok.....someone please tell me HOW is he doing this...?

DaisyChainMaker

I think its really sad that he isn't finding time to see his children. They must feel it too bless them.

I don't know any reasons why his payments have been reduced, the only people who would know is the CSA. At least you get something for your children, even if it isnt as much as you believe you should get. x

I hope you get some answers and your ex realises how precious children are and how fast they grow up, he will miss out on so much and so will they x

Just a thought, but has his situation changed? Is he now with someone who has children and therefore they are taken into consideration when his calculation is done? And maybe that would explain why he is TOO busy to see his children x

moomoomama27

If you have asked the CSA for an assessment, presumably they have assessed him and found that the maintenace he is paying is correct?!

Maybe there are factors you are unaware of with the term of his employ/his wage amounts? Unless you have proof that he earns more, and should be paying more, then I think you just have to accept that this amount is based on calculations from wage slips he's sent in!

choccywoccy

The last assessment was done on him in 2008! that is why I asked for a new one to be done... as for another woman - yes he has remarries and she has 3 children from a previous relationship - she works full time and those children spend half the week with thier real Dad...(lucky them eh?) But thanks for all the replies xxx

bdt1

Sounds like he could be being assessed on CS1 rather than CS2. If it is CS1, then he will get a protected section of the assessment which will give him an allowance for eing part of a couple as well as an allowance for 3 children in his household. This protected section does not make up part of the original assessment but will determine whether he can pay the assessed amount.

What most PWC's do in this situation is apply for a variation/departure regards to housing allowance on the grounds that his new partner can contribute, in which case they normally reduce his housing allowance.

Comedy

If he's on CS2 he will also get a reduction.. 25% for having 3 kids in his household.

The only other things I can think of are that he's come off overtime/putting more into a pension and has maybe wrongfully told the CSA he has the kids more than once a week. That would get a further reduction.

As bad as it sounds in your situation if he's remarried into a family with kids he does now have obligations there too and a reduction is in the CSA rules only because it's fair. That doesn't justify not seeing his own 2 kids though.. Not much can back that up.

Honest_broker07

Comedy

No he doesn't in reality

as an example NRP earns £300 per week for 3 kids in first family he would pay £75 a week, and thus have £225 left
if however her has a new family of the same size then he Keeps the first 25% and pays on the rest so now he pays 25% of (300-75) ie £56.25 so in reality he's allowed £18.75 for his new family and pays £56.25 for the first.

Now if anyone can explain how you can keep 3 kids on £18.75 a week ....

kelloggs36

I love the assumption that if he moves in with somebody with children that he now has responsibilities towards them too - no he doesn't the father of those children has the responsibilities towards them, not the NRP in this case!

Comedy

I still believe they would take the children into account if they live in your house, even if you don't have parental responsibility.

I went through an assessment with the CSA over the phone on Friday and they asked me simply if any children live in my household.

OP, I would call them and ask this. They can't tell you the circumstances of your ex partner but they can answer a simple scenario question.

kelloggs36

I differ in this opinion - a child has 2 parents (in most cases) and only those parents are responsible. The non resident parent should be paying towards the maintenance of those children which is not taken into account, so in effect those households get double bubble whilst the PWC who has a partner who has set up with a family with children not their own pays a reduced rate just because there are children in the household - supposed to be being supported by their own parents! I don't believe that any reduction should be given for step children but it can be of course for natural children.

Comedy

There's plenty of unjust rules with the CSAand because its not socially/morally right there's nothing to say the CSA don't apply it as a rule. There are plenty of situations where you could legitimately have responsibility for the welfare of a partners child.. The unemployment or even death of the other parent is one. Plus, if it's CSA2 then the agency wouldn't even ask for the income of the partner. As i understand it with the old rules the agency would look into the income of a partner (including maintenance payments) but now doesn't do this except for variation.


If nobody knows for sure its best for the OP to call the agency and ask the question themselves. If they say they would be taken into account then that's definitely the cause of some of this drop in maintenance, if not and they're employed (not self-employed) they either have a health pension starting or are lying about their income.

Quick edit: According to the rules you will get a decrease if either you or your partner get child benefit for any kids..

http://www.csa.gov.uk/en/setup/how-maintenance-calculated.asp