CSA Query

sgx.saint

Hi Folks,

Me and my partner have just recently separated, and our daughter who is seven months old will be living with her mum for the majority of the time as she is currently working part-time whereas I work full time.

The split is amicable, and we are still on good terms, and have agreed that I will have my daughter on average for three nights / days a week.

My partner is currently staying with her parents, but is on the local housing register and will soon be placed into a house of her own.

She works 15 hours per week and also receives tax credits. When she moves into a new house she may also need to claim other benefits i.e. Housing Benefit / Income Support in order to cover outgoings.

We have both agreed a private arrangement in terms of me paying her support for our daughter

Neither one of us wants the CSA involved, however, it was my understanding that if my ex-partner claimed income support or JSA, then the CSA would automatically get involved, and pursue me for support.

My ex checked this with her local JCP, and they stated that this is no longer the case, and CSA would only get involved if she advised that I was not paying / unwilling to pay any maintenance.

Can anyone confirm if this is accurate? We both live in Scotland by the way just in case that has any bearing.

Thanks

CSA_Help

No need to get the CSA involved now .

Check with https://www.childmaintenance.org

Dont add to you and your partners troubles

borders_dude

It is preferential to come to a private agreement if at all possible.

Usually the CSA makes lots of screw ups and this can cause a lot of unneccesary troubles between you, the NRP and your ex parner the PWC.

It is worth taking some time to put together a thouragh agreement though, it can save problems later!

It is also worth being very buiness like when it comes to the agreemnt. If it is agreed to pay money on the first of the month, do it. Dont think oh I will leave it until the morra etc etc; It will save problems later.

At any time it is possible to end the agreement and go via the CSA.

In terms of working out how much the NRP will pay the PWC you can use the csa new rules calculator, This will give you an idea what would be paid in cash terms if the case went to the CSA.

Best of luck with things.

DUTR

sgx.saint wrote: »

Hi Folks,

Me and my partner have just recently separated, and our daughter who is seven months old will be living with her mum for the majority of the time as she is currently working part-time whereas I work full time.

The split is amicable, and we are still on good terms, and have agreed that I will have my daughter on average for three nights / days a week.

I will have to disagreeing on replies 2 & 3, as all splits end amicablly until one ex or the other has a new partner, seen too many posts here where the recipient of a private agreement 'forgets' that they have recieved CS, so I would say see what you have to pay (usually 15% net) and deal via the csa, it won't be an option to 'threaten' you with later, yes we hear bad stories, but I'm sure there are many more happy dealings with the csa .
Good luck :j

sgx.saint

Hi,

Thanks for the replies, we will draw up a formal agreement in the next few weeks. I appreciate the opinions, on both sides.

However, my actual question remains unanswered .... if my ex partner claims income support or JSA, will the CSA automatically get involved and takeover the maintenance arrangements, or does my ex partner have to request they get involved?

DUTR

sgx.saint wrote: »

Hi,

Thanks for the replies, we will draw up a formal agreement in the next few weeks. I appreciate the opinions, on both sides.

However, my actual question remains unanswered .... if my ex partner claims income support or JSA, will the CSA automatically get involved and takeover the maintenance arrangements, or does my ex partner have to request they get involved?

That used to be the case, but now they will only get involved if either party approaches the CSA, the CS monies do not affect benefits either nowadays, so I'm lead to beleive :beer:

DX2

sgx.saint wrote: »

However, my actual question remains unanswered .... if my ex partner claims income support or JSA, will the CSA automatically get involved and takeover the maintenance arrangements, or does my ex partner have to request they get involved?

No the CSA no longer automatically get involved if the other parent is claiming benefits, however she/he must declare that they are getting child support from the non resident parent even though it is no longer taken into account when working out their benefits.

Something I would like to point out to you though she/he will get very little money in the form of Income support/JSA if they are working 15 hours per week. Best get an extra hour and claim working tax credits.

AnxiousMum

If you can make this arrangement amicably, go for it. However, drawing up an agreement would be a good idea, and also, do not ever hand over 'cash' as child support payments. If something went awry later on, and she did go to CSA, she could claim (and unfortunately, there are PWC's out there who WILL do this) that you have never paid her, and they will go after you for arrears from when they first made contact with you etc. It can cause alot of grief, and as said, all can be amicable - but as soon as one of you is involved with someone else etc., it can all go pearshaped. So better to have the agreement now, and set up a standing order for what you agree on to be sent to her each week/month - however often you decide, but mark it clearly that it is for Child support for XXXX for the current month or some such thing, so that you have records of this.

bdt1

I agree with DX2, PWC will be financially much better off if an extra hour can be worked each week.

Also, when you are talking about drawing up an agreement with regard to you paying regular child support, please ensure that it means a standing order or such is made and specifically states ' as child support payment for xxxxx xxxxxxxx (child name) , DOB (xxxxxx), from xxxx xxxxx (your name), NI Number, paid to and received by xxx xxxxx (PWC name). For every payment made to the PWC get her to sign and agree that this has been received for child support purposes.

As others state I know this might seem a real faff on, but later if there are ever any issues, and CSA do become involved (often the case), then this is all to cover your back. It has been known for some NRP to rack up huge arrears bills when CSA have become involved or contacted and PWC has stated 'wot maintenance?'

Please just cover all bases and be cautious, whilst it is good things are amicable now, it may not be like this long term - but hope for all sakes it is

sgx.saint

Hi All,

Thanks for the replies, all advice taken on board, I've downloaded the private agreement form from the CSA website, and will complete this together tomorrow.

At the moment, she owes me some money, so I've advised her to keep some of it as a starter contribution towards out daughter. At the moment, as she is living with her parents, combined with her income, she is actually far better off than me.

The money I've advised her to keep, should I suggest we record that as a support payment somewhere?

DUTR

sgx.saint wrote: »

Hi All,

Thanks for the replies, all advice taken on board, I've downloaded the private agreement form from the CSA website, and will complete this together tomorrow.

At the moment, she owes me some money, so I've advised her to keep some of it as a starter contribution towards out daughter. At the moment, as she is living with her parents, combined with her income, she is actually far better off than me.

The money I've advised her to keep, should I suggest we record that as a support payment somewhere?

You should, but that could be the start of the falling out (I hope not) but it is all for your child's good , anyways best of luck and fingers crossed that we won't need to see a sob story thread from you on here :beer: