Advice Needed...

hawkmiles13

Hi All

Does anyone know if there is any financial help available for non-resident fathers?

Long story short my and my children's mother split up nearly 2 years ago. Whilst I have the children 3 nights a week (As well as 4 days) they are declared as living with her. As a result she receives all the child benefit, tax credit and my child maintenance payment.

Whilst this sounds like I am bitter, I'm not. I'm happy with the arrangement and agree to the amount of maintenance I pay to her. (It's a private agreement and in line with what the CSA expects) However as much as I search there seems to be no financial help for fathers who actually do their share for their children.

I am feeling the pinch, especially so close to Christmas so any help you can offer would be greatly appreciated. I'm not looking for huge amounts to be handed to me (I work full time as well but as I'm not 25 I don't qualify for working tax credit) but anything would be great even if it's a small reduction in something I pay (Such as council tax...e.t.c)

Any advice?

Phil

bestpud

As far as I am aware there isnt. The only option you have is to negotiate with your ex partner and see if she will share the child related benefits.

The CSA calculator takes into account nights spent with you so the child maintenance should be correct.

Doesn't seem fair to me though if you have them literally half the time!

DX2

Do you get the single adult rebate on your council tax?

FBaby

My friend has a similar arrangement and it was agreed with his partner that they would share the tax credits and CB. In the end, it all depends on who buys the essentials. If she buys all their clothes, accessories, pay for birthday presents (even for parties when they are with you), childcare costs (if any), school trips etc...., then it might be fair that she continues to get all or most of these.

bestpud

FBaby wrote: »

My friend has a similar arrangement and it was agreed with his partner that they would share the tax credits and CB. In the end, it all depends on who buys the essentials. If she buys all their clothes, accessories, pay for birthday presents (even for parties when they are with you), childcare costs (if any), school trips etc...., then it might be fair that she continues to get all or most of these.

Yes, good point! I don't think you should be doing much more than feeding them when they are with you - they should have clothes etc provided by their mum if she is receiving money for that.

I'm not so sure about presents though... I think parties is one thing but I think both should buy presents for birthday and Christmas, whatever the financial arrangement - that's a personal thing really, isn't it?

My ex and I buy joint presents for ours, or we agree a sum we are happy to pay each and that is what we spend on them. We do that because we've seen too many children playing one parent off against the other and didn't want ours tempted to do the same.

Saying that, he doesn't have dd half the week and/or buy anything else for her.

Are you on good speaking terms with your ex? Can you not have a chat about it, or maybe go to mediation of you tend to end up arguing?

Jowo_2

What's your net income compared to your ex-partner? Does she work? How much do you pay (this does not affect benefits)? Is she renting?

A single non-working parent with 2 children can receive around £200 per week in benefits (£65 Income Support, £35 child benefit, £98 tax credits), plus council tax rebate, plus local housing allowance (if renting).