Will CSA payments affect the new Universal Credit?

swilliam

Currently CSA payments are not taken into account when working out a claimants benefits. However, I heard a rumour that CSA payments 'may' be taken into account on the new Universal Credit.

I've scanned all through the reform proposals and am unable to find any information on this.

HappyMJ

No change regarding CSA payments. Still disregarded.

swilliam

HappyMJ wrote: »

No change regarding CSA payments. Still disregarded.

Thats what I thought. Thanks

anguk

Does anyone know why maintenance payments aren't taken into account for means tested benefits? Is it to protect the PWC and children in case maintenance isn't paid? It seems odd to me that you could in theory be receiving hundreds of pounds in maintenance payments each week yet still keep your means tested benefits.

It also seems unfair to me that NRP don't have the amount of maintenance they pay taken into account when claiming benefits, especially when they disregard it for the PWC. They should either take maintenance into account for both or disregard it for both.

swilliam

anguk wrote: »

Does anyone know why maintenance payments aren't taken into account for means tested benefits? .

It was until April 2010, after which you were allowed to keep £20 ? per week until October when you were allowed all of it.

The reason ?

It could be as you pointed out due to some NRP's not paying regular payments; requiring the DWP to adjust the PWC benefits every month. I should imagine that cost a fortune to adminster.

HappyMJ

anguk wrote: »

Does anyone know why maintenance payments aren't taken into account for means tested benefits? Is it to protect the PWC and children in case maintenance isn't paid? It seems odd to me that you could in theory be receiving hundreds of pounds in maintenance payments each week yet still keep your means tested benefits.

It also seems unfair to me that NRP don't have the amount of maintenance they pay taken into account when claiming benefits, especially when they disregard it for the PWC. They should either take maintenance into account for both or disregard it for both.

The Child support money is supposed to be for the child and the income support should be for the PWC's own expenses.

I agree with your second paragraph completely.

anguk

HappyMJ wrote: »

The Child support money is supposed to be for the child and the income support should be for the PWC's own expenses.

I agree with your second paragraph completely.

So does the PWC only get income support for themselves and nothing for the children? I thought they would also get money for the children and maintenance was on top of that.

shell_542

anguk wrote: »

So does the PWC only get income support for themselves and nothing for the children? I thought they would also get money for the children and maintenance was on top of that.

Income support is for the adult. Child benefit and tax credits is for the child.

I completely agree with Anguk's second paragraph too. It's probably all down to money saving though. Too expensive to administrate all the "means testing" so just disregard it.