Single or not?

Shroom82

Just a query really...Can you claim CSA if you are still in a relationship with the father of your child?

AnxiousMum

huh? Surely if you are in a relationship with the father of your children he is contributing to their financial upbringing anyway? If he's not, cannot imagine why you are still in a relationship with him.......

Shroom82

I'm not personally claiming, it was just a curious question really. I've been reading up a lot about the CSA lately, and it occured to me that I've not read anything yet that says you MUST be single to claim. Just wondering

Marisco

I don't think you do have to be single. Divorced, estranged, separated etc would do it. But if you are asking can a couple claim CSA if they are still together, then common sense would say no!!!! Otherwise everyone would be doing it!!!!!!

Shroom82

Marisco wrote: »

I don't think you do have to be single. Divorced, estranged, separated etc would do it. But if you are asking can a couple claim CSA if they are still together, then common sense would say no!!!! Otherwise everyone would be doing it!!!!!!

Well that would make sense, but you never know with the CSA!:rotfl:

kelloggs36

An example when this could have happened is when it was necessary for PWCs on benefits to claim via the CSA. Those who were defrauding the system by being partners but living apart to gain money would have been caught out as they would have to provide the names of the NRP. However, lying and saying they didn't know who they were etc got a few off the hook.

Shroom82

kelloggs36 wrote: »

An example when this could have happened is when it was necessary for PWCs on benefits to claim via the CSA. Those who were defrauding the system by being partners but living apart to gain money would have been caught out as they would have to provide the names of the NRP. However, lying and saying they didn't know who they were etc got a few off the hook.

Ah, so it could, theoritically, be done! It just seemed odd that there was nothing to say, for definite, that you had to actually be seperated from the father. I'd have thought in today's 'out for all I can get' culture, the agencies would make sure thingslike that were worded to make it clear.

AnxiousMum

If someone chose to do it the way Kellogs has described, the only real reason for doing it would be to cover your tracks for benefit fraud.....claiming as a single parent when not really a single parent. They'd also have to lie I assume on the CSA application about addresses and such?

karenx

CSA isnt a benefit as such, its money direct from the father to the mother. So it would be pointless a mother in the relationship to claim through CSA. As the money is going from the father to the CSA then to the mother. What would be the point in that? Its not money from the government or anywhere else. The father is the one who pays it.

clearingout

It is possible, though, to live in the same house and be classed as separated/single for the purpose of benefit assessments so theoretically yes, you could live under the same roof and claim through the CSA, surely?

AnxiousMum

karenx wrote: »

CSA isnt a benefit as such, its money direct from the father to the mother. So it would be pointless a mother in the relationship to claim through CSA. As the money is going from the father to the CSA then to the mother. What would be the point in that? Its not money from the government or anywhere else. The father is the one who pays it.

As per my post Karen - if doing it the way suggested by Kellogs - ie, when on single benefits (dishonestly) and HAD to claim child support (in order to keep the £20 and rest went to DWP or whatever - the old way that is no longer current), then it would've been done to cover tracks for benefit fraud. Everybody knows that CSA is not a benefit.