What benefits is she entitled too?

Ashingtonian

Hi all. I'm in dispute with my ex partner as to what is a fair monthly maintenance payment. I earn £1300 a month after tax and have offered £200 a month (for one 12 year old). I often pay for one offs like new clothes, trips etc as and when on top of this.

My ex works 30hrs a week for approx £230 before tax. Other than child benefit she can also claim (I think) working family/child tax credit. She claims this is only a few pounds a week extra, however when I put her details into the direct gov website it states she could be claiming as much as £150 extra each week:eek: Is this correct?

I know my info is a bit vague but that figure seems very generous........and if its correct then she is much better off than me financially despite working ten hours less each week on a lower rate:o

I guess I'm just looking for rough idea of her true overall income, any ideas welcome....

McKneff

If you have offered £200 a week, has she accepted this or does she want more.


Am I right in thinking that the CSA would be 15% of your salary, have you checked.

Caz3121

the entitlement tables are here http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/taxcredits/people-advise-others/entitlement-tables/work-and-child/work-no-childcosts.htm
note: if she has a partner then their income will be used in the calculation too, so if they work also it is very possible that could have a low payment if this is the case
CSA would be £195 per month based on your income (eg if she is not happy with your offer and decides to go to the CSA, that is what they will assess you at)

kingfisherblue

The CSA assessment is £195 a week, but if you have your child for 52 nights a year, it is reduced by one seventh. For 53-104 nights a year, the £195 is reduced by two sevenths.

Ashingtonian

Thanks for the quick replies. She has pretty much accepted the £200 a week (I looked on the CSA website and they said it would be £195), but she feels I should be paying extras for one off things like clothes etc....which I have done in the past but feel it would be unfair on me now if she is entitled to £100+ a week extra in benefits. She is single so no partners earnings to be taken into account.

The really ironic thing is that when we were together we barley had a pot to pi$$ in, but since we split I am slightly better off financially and she is seemingly much better off!

emsywoo123

Ashingtonian wrote: »

Hi all. I'm in dispute with my ex partner as to what is a fair monthly maintenance payment. I earn £1300 a month after tax and have offered £200 a month (for one 12 year old). I often pay for one offs like new clothes, trips etc as and when on top of this.

My ex works 30hrs a week for approx £230 before tax. Other than child benefit she can also claim (I think) working family/child tax credit. She claims this is only a few pounds a week extra, however when I put her details into the direct gov website it states she could be claiming as much as £150 extra each week:eek: Is this correct?

I know my info is a bit vague but that figure seems very generous........and if its correct then she is much better off than me financially despite working ten hours less each week on a lower rate:o

I guess I'm just looking for rough idea of her true overall income, any ideas welcome....

All the stuff I have out in red is irrelevant.

You earn £1300 pcm net.
I assume you have no other dependants.
CSA would make you pay 15%
£195 pcm
Your offer of £200pcm seems sensible.

emsywoo123

Ashingtonian wrote: »

Thanks for the quick replies. She has pretty much accepted the £200 a week (I looked on the CSA website and they said it would be £195), but she feels I should be paying extras for one off things like clothes etc....which I have done in the past but feel it would be unfair on me now if she is entitled to £100+ a week extra in benefits. She is single so no partners earnings to be taken into account.

The really ironic thing is that when we were together we barley had a pot to pi$$ in, but since we split I am slightly better off financially and she is seemingly much better off!

£866 pcm? Wonderful

uponahill

Ashingtonian wrote: »

Thanks for the quick replies. She has pretty much accepted the £200 a week (I looked on the CSA website and they said it would be £195), but she feels I should be paying extras for one off things like clothes etc....which I have done in the past but feel it would be unfair on me now if she is entitled to £100+ a week extra in benefits. She is single so no partners earnings to be taken into account.

The really ironic thing is that when we were together we barley had a pot to pi$$ in, but since we split I am slightly better off financially and she is seemingly much better off!

Welcome to the world of benefit scrounging!!!

You have found this out by accident, others know the rules and arrange their financial and relationship lives in order to maximise the benefits they each receive!! It's a well worn path that many go down.

McKneff

uponahill wrote: »

Welcome to the world of benefit scrounging!!!

You have found this out by accident, others know the rules and arrange their financial and relationship lives in order to maximise the benefits they each receive!! It's a well worn path that many go down.

Unortunately, its the innocent who suffer, the children, some of the poor little b uggers dont stand a chance.

OP, as emsywoo says, her income is absolutely nothing to do with you.

The only thing I want to say to you that in all this equasion, your child is or should be the most important thing, his/her emotional well being should be paramount.

epitome

If she isn't already claiming Child Tax Credit she is a fool, she may get a few pounds of Working Tax Credit aswell.

She will still take your £200 on top and be rolling in money.

Tax credits are a disgraceful waste of money IMHO.

Ashingtonian

McKneff wrote: »

Unortunately, its the innocent who suffer, the children, some of the poor little b uggers dont stand a chance.

OP, as emsywoo says, her income is absolutely nothing to do with you.

The only thing I want to say to you that in all this equasion, your child is or should be the most important thing, his/her emotional well being should be paramount.

Please dont get me wrong, I don't begrudge paying a fair amount towards my daughters upkeep, which I believe I do. What boils my pi$$ is the fact my ex is pleading hard up.

The way I see it (not taking into account my maintenance payment):

I earn a week about £310 net (40 hours)

She earns about £200 net (30 hours) Add to that £120 in working/child tax credit = £320

She now has £10 a week extra money in her pocket despite working 10 hours less. Then factor in the near £50 a week in maintenance and £20 child benefit she recieves = £390 a week, whilst I am down to £260.

£130 to feed/clothe one child each week? Don't think so.....



Bitter? Damn right I am.