is child mantenance disregarded from all benefits...?

mummyplus3

Its a tough one with CM because the majority of single parents (myself included) cannot get CS from the NRP even with CSA 'trying' to get it sorted out. So I have mixed opinions on retracting the unlimited CS from lone parents.

Jowo_2

mummyplus3 wrote: »

Its a tough one with CM because the majority of single parents (myself included) cannot get CS from the NRP even with CSA 'trying' to get it sorted out. So I have mixed opinions on retracting the unlimited CS from lone parents.

Yes, I see the dilemma. It's a shame that it's still so easy for NRPs not to pay (60%) which is a greater shame that the fact that potentially 40% are continuing to receive means tested benefits that ignore the child support payments, hence the tax payer is still picking up 100% of the tab for broken relationships that involve children.

rainbow81

As a single parent who receives IS, CTC, and CM I can honestly say that when they stopped deducting IS because of CM my son's quality of life improved immeasurably (ie I could afford to buy him school shoes and fruit and veg). Also, the NRP was much more willing to give us his money (which has already been taxed) and increased it somewhat because he knew it wasn't just going straight back to the government. As it stands I would no longer say that my child is in poverty.
I know this is only one example (and is a bit different now as my son also receives DLA and I get carer's allowance). If deducting CM from a benefit is the answer then people will just do it in cash and not declare it.

I DO however remember being with my son's dad, him working 37 hours per week, me 25 and our son was in nursery and we were utterly penniless. The balance does need to shift somehow, I agree.

(nb we are only BETTER off now because my son's disability was diagnosed, so not better off but yswim.)

mummyplus3

Jowo wrote: »

Yes, I see the dilemma. It's a shame that it's still so easy for NRPs not to pay (60%) which is a greater shame that the fact that potentially 40% are continuing to receive means tested benefits that ignore the child support payments, hence the tax payer is still picking up 100% of the tab for broken relationships that involve children.

The other thing from my POV is that how many of those 40% NRP's actually pay their maintenance month on month? I've seen in the past lone parent friends get stung for months because their "huge amount of awarded maintenence" never comes through and the amount deducted from their benefits means they are s*rewed for alot longer than they don't get maintenance for after everything starts spiralling out of hand.

So I guess like this new ridiculas child benefit law that it's probably going to cost far to much to change and is best left where it is. Although I don't think it is right for someone to be able to get £100-£200 a week CM ontop of all the benefits they get.