The CSA keeps badgering me to go back to work, but work doesnt pay, suggestions pleas

DX2

JamesP1976 wrote: »

How so? we are a tax paying household and we dont draw benefits. Not even for council tax. This is all 100% legal.

This is not the sort of comment I am looking for. I am looking to see if I can make work financially viable, and doing so legally.

Tax credits are just that a benefit. :doh:

JamesP1976

DX2 wrote: »

Leave the country, or just change your phone number.

I changed my number and the CSA still managed to get my new one, but now its the landline they are calling. Is there a legal route I can stop the nuisance calls?

Leaving the country doesnt help my two year old boy at all.

We are very close. However, my gf would earn more tax credits if she lived alone with him.

Emigrating for all three of us is possible but it interferes with my gf's employment and we are happy where we are.

DX2

EclipsedMind wrote: »

@DX2 However he is looking after the 2 year old and thus is no different from a stay at home mum which taxes also fund. The child probably benefits more from the extra time with him than having 1/4 of a nursery worker's attention (1/8th @3 years old) anyway and the nursery cost would likely be ridiculous.

Yet there seems to be no provisions in place for his other child.

JamesP1976

speedster wrote: »

if she closes the csa case then it may end up financially viable for the pair of you?

You are absolutely right, but this was a vey bitter divorce. My ex wanted a divorce thinking she would get my house and everything else, and she became embittered when the Judge threw it all out and threw out her £20K solicitors costs application as well. Her solicitor even tried rto sue me and I ended up complaining to the Law Society contending fraud.

I know we would be better off negotiating, but the moment its in place and I am back at work, she will be straight back to the CSA all over again. Im afraid she cannot be trusted.

JamesP1976

DX2 wrote: »

Yet there seems to be no provisions in place for his other child.

There is, but it was the CSA that was cheating on travel to work costs.

I wouldnt even be here if the CSA allowed what is lawfully mine.

DX2

JamesP1976 wrote: »

There is, but it was the CSA that was cheating on travel to work costs.

I wouldnt even be here if the CSA allowed what is lawfully mine.

So you currently pay child support then?

JamesP1976

Yes, up until then point I asked for travel to work and the CSA rejected my claim.

I dont have a problem paying the CSA, I only have a problem with being cheated.

We are going off topic.

anguk

JamesP1976 wrote: »

How so? we are a tax paying household and we dont draw benefits. Not even for council tax. This is all 100% legal.

This is not the sort of comment I am looking for. I am looking to see if I can make work financially viable, and doing so legally.

But you do draw benefits, you get £5243.71 in benefits. CTC & WTC are benefits just like any other benefit.

I can see this from all sides. The ex obviously wants you to contribute towards your children, morally you have a duty to contribute towards your children, the CSA will hound you because they'll just assume you're deliberately not working so you don't have to pay for your children.

However I can also see why you're worried if it's financially viable for you to work. I'd agree with the others who have suggested trying to come to an agreement with your ex. If not could you not perhaps work on the days your girlfriend isn't then she could look after your toddler.

I appreciate that your tax credits may be reduced when you're working and you may feel it's not worth you working for not much money but at least you then have peace of mind knowing that you're providing for all your children and the CSA will get off your back.

JamesP1976

There is nothing morally right about a mum deliberately depriving children of a paternal family life to suit her own financial agenda through the CSA.

The CSA did threaten me with accusations I stopped work to get out of paying for my children, but I sent the threat to my MP with a complaint of blackmail and fraud and he intervened. The threats did stop. There is nothing morally right about committing extortion.

I looked at working two days, but do look at my original post, it really makes no financial sense. I thought this was a money forum....:cool:

EclipsedMind

I think the long and the short of it is that you want us to tell you we agree it is not worth you working as there is little financial reward for you doing so. And on the surface of things that appears to hold water and may be even more true once alternative childcare for the 2 year old is factored in.

However people are trying to point out to you in their subtle or otherwise way that you are able bodied and should work. This is both for your own self esteem and part of the moral contract with society - it is noted that you don't draw benefits for yourself but it is the tax credits that make your lifestyle possible and that is funded by the tax payers like myself. Additionally your two children from your marriage require your support: both emotional and financial.

I too went through a living hell divorce and know what its like on the other side where contact is an ongoing war and with the CSA involved then private agreements and lots of random churn. This week its CSA next month it might be a private agreement again but through it all I have never missed a payment and my DD knows her daddy loves her and wants to see her. I would hope in a year or 2 you can say the same or maybe will haev a better outcome.

As for trust that takes time and considering what you and your Ex have been through it might take quite a lot. However you have to start somewhere so why not with a gesture on your part and an admission you want to support your kids. Your Ex knows where the CSA route ends up (with no money) so a private agreement is in everyone's best interests and you should be able to pitch it that way.

So give it a try as tbh you have nothing to lose and plenty to gain.

EM