CSA1 to CSA2

Mikeef

Quick into -
I'm NRP with 1 child. Now married with child with my wife.

I was on CSA1. They re-assesed me because of my new child and the out come was a £0 assesment.

PWC wasn't happy but I agreed to pay for school stuff, days out etc.

Call from the CSA today to say the PWC has put in an application - This will be on CSA2 I assume.

OK, based on the CSA rules, its 15% of my salary less 15% for my 1 child.

I'm now going from a £0 assesment to around £40 per week. How unfair is that!

Is this 13 week rule a bit of a loop hole in favour of the PWC. Do the CSA tell the PWC "If you close the case and wait 13 weeks you'll be quids in" - I don't doubt it for a second.

And before all the PWC's start on me, I always have supported my child and paid CSA from day 1 and I always will support my child be it throught the CSA or off my own back.

Once again, the non-payers get away with it and the people who they know can pay get chased!

Lets hope this forcing people on benefits to work hurrys up!

I know theres no answer to this, just had to let off some steam.

Mikee

Debicj

This does seem to be a bit of a loop hole in favour of the PWC. But having done this, let me tell you it's not always as easy as people think. It took me a lot longer than 13 weeks and the CSA weren't really very helpful. They certainly gave me the impression that I was being a pain in wanting to do this as their computer system can't cope. I wouldn't bet on it being a straight forward process.

I'm not getting at you personally, but your view does seem to be fairly common for NRP. However, from a PWC point of view, what is fair about not providing financially for your first child because a second child is born? Does the first child suddenly stop needing food, clothes, etc.? The PWC doesn't have the option to stop providing for the first child when more come along, why should the NRP?

CSA_Help

Wish i was on CSA 2

Better still wish they weren't there.

Good luck but dont suppose you would have appeal grounds

13Kent

We would love to be on CSA 2 because in our case we would pay significantly less than what we pay now. Unfortunately we cannot close the case and re-open it after 13 weeks - only the PWC can do that.

Mikeef

I'm only assuming this at the moment and I'll know when the forms arrive.

I just think the way its worked out is wrong. If they want 15% for 1 child, fine, but when another child comes along, surley they should half the payment.

As an example, after all my bills and the new 180 per month csa payment I have about £130 left. In this case, my 1st child IS getting more than my 2nd!

13Kent

Unfortunately it seems that children living with you are not worth as much as the ones that live with the PWC - and also on CSA 1 any income from child benefit and tax credits which are for the children that live with you will be included as part of your income and therefore a portion of it paid to the PWC. As for the benefits the PWC gets - well she gets to keep all of them.

Our PWC is deemed to have nil income by the CSA (despite her working, and her husband working) because they get tax credits, so they do not contribute as far as the CSA assessment is concerned, and we have to pay 100% of the needed amount.

Mikeef

Its just criminal that the PWC can decide to close a case and then re-open it just because it would mean more money.

A letter to my MP and the CSA is on the way, what good it will do I don't know but this loop hole has to be stopped!

I'm happy to pay towards my child but when they don't take into account living expenses...well its just wrong.

If the CSA have worked out that 15% of my salary is enough to support 1 child and I now have 2 to support then I make that 7.5% each!

Debicj

Maybe the NRP's should take into account their existing expenses when deciding to have more children. If it is not possible to afford more, then it may be best not to have more children.

It could also be said that it's criminal to have a child and then not pay any child support. If both parents did that then the child could starve!

Mikeef

1) On CSA1 we could afford children.

2) I always support my child, even when a £0 assesment I paid for things.

i_hate_the_csa

The sad fact is SOME pwc use the csa as a stick to beat nrp's with.:(

13Kent

Debicj wrote: »

Maybe the NRP's should take into account their existing expenses when deciding to have more children. If it is not possible to afford more, then it may be best not to have more children.


Does that apply to the PWC also?

I don't think that things are as black and white as that - surely both the PWC and the Nrp should have the opportunity to have the choice of having a fulfilling life with new partners and children if they wish to do so. Certainly in my OH's case he has lost the chance of being a full time dad to his older children through no fault of his own (she had a series of affairs and eventually decided to end their marriage even though he struggled to keep things together for the children.) Should he be not allowed to move on because if he does it may be detrimental financially to her and her lifestyle? She made the decision to end the marriage not him, and she can make her own choices about what happens next in her life - why should they depend on keeping a level of financial support that she became used to when they first split up - she is free to move on and seek another relationship too.

My OH and I have children together now, and ok we cannot afford too many luxuries as we pay a lot to the CSA (nearly £600 a month) and yes we are bitter that on CSA 2 we would pay only 15% of his salary which is significantly less - on CSA 1 they can and do take up to 30%.

But we are happy, our children are happy and loved, they love their other siblings and love to see them, and that works both ways - the older children love to see their younger siblings too. My husband is enjoying being a full time dad to our two and doing all the things he has not been able to do with his older children as he no longer has the luxury of living in the same house as them - not through his own choice.

Is it fair to say that he should not be allowed this happiness and enjoy being a full time Dad instead of a hands on dad only a few days a month simply because his ex decided that he was not to be part of her life anymore? And by the same token should I be denied children because my husband has already had them in a previous relationship?

We have all moved on - she has a new husband and another child, we have our own family. It's not perfect, there is bitterness and spitefulness on both sides, but that's life and you just have to get on with it and make the best of the hand you have been dealt.