how can i get most out of csa

mystery07

kelloggs36 wrote: »

That seems a bit odd, suggesting that the Government have this pot of money which belongs to them - the money belongs to the Tax payer, joe bloggs off the street. So the tax payer is subsidising the benefits, and the expenditure must be kept to a minimum in order to be able to afford other things which are for the benefit of the Country, such as the NHS and education - as much as we would like, there isn't an endless pot of money so the Government decided that if a child's parent is on benefits, then the child must be supported by their other parent as their other parent cannot support them themselves as they are claiming benefits. The next system will be different in that those on benefits will get to keep all the money, thus reversing this situation, but personally, I don't believe that those on benefits SHOULD be potentially better off than somebody who works, otherwise nobody would bother. I could then potentially walk out on my husband, take my 2 children with me, claim benefits, stay at home and then on top of that, get 20% of his income which if he is a high earner, would give me no incentive whatsoever to get a job and cease to be a burden on the State. Perhaps there should be a middle ground somewhere, where they get to keep a bit more than a tenner, maybe up to 50%, but not all of it, otherwise it makes a mockery and it will encourage unscrupulous parents with care to play the system.

Hi Kelloggs....think we may have got into discussion in another thread before??

Anyway, I dont think that was an odd thing to say (gov - pot of money!) I hear what your saying, re - DWP/HMRC dishing out "loads" in benefits, to people not willing to work. However, the government, is pushing, almost literally, more & more people into work to get them off benefits. Dont get me wrong, this isnt altogether a bad thing. Joe public should be going out to work, however, I cant agree that any parent, should go out to work foresaking their children in the process. What I mean by this, Is... a single Mother with no family around, with a toddler, shouldnt be pushed to go out to work 40 hours a week, just to make ends meet. The toddler will suffer because of this & there are many people in this position. Im not suggesting, give her £500 a week to sit on her back side, even whilst her child goes off to school, but at least a single Mother ought to be able to have a more comfortable lifestyle, by not having to work, at least until her child went to school for instance. I could complicate my arguement further, but Id be typing forever, so Im not going to. I will just say, that this is my firm opinion & I will stick with it.

As for CSA post. In change in circumstances etc etc. I hear what your saying there too. However, working for the CSA, you will obviously be aware, that when a 2nd child is born to a NRP the assessment would only reduce by 5% (from 15 down to 10) which clearly wasnt just the case. Obviously you know your stuff, so Im not going to question you. However, I am fully aware of what I have seen 1st hand & so I can only say, that the CSA must make some exceptions to the rule??!

Perhaps I could pm you, one day :rolleyes: when I recieve some maintenance from the CSA ?! As judging my ex, Im pretty sure, Im not going to get from him, what they say I am entilted too. Maybe, I iwll be wrong & the CSA will force him to pay up the full amount? Who know's?!

xxx

mystery07

cathy2702 wrote: »

OMG we're like the same person, Im doing my degree too. My childminder was awful and I travelled such a distance to work leaving dd at such a young age for more than 12 hours a day with someone I didnt really like contributed to my going part time. I do agree with what your saying to an extent, its difficult being a single parent, no one understands till they're in the situation. If I stayed at home I'd be ridiculed for being a waster and louse and when I go to work my colleagues dont understand that when my child is ill I'm the only person who can go collect her, that can stay at home with her and school holidays are a nightmare already and they're a month away. Unfortunatley we just cant win, we can only do what we do!

Thanks for your comments and goodluck with your degree

Cate

If you tell me that your "in a house" in lincolnshire, I will be spooked.

:rotfl:

P.s Sorry, I got you confused with someone else

xxx

kelloggs36

mystery07 wrote: »

Hi Kelloggs....think we may have got into discussion in another thread before??

Anyway, I dont think that was an odd thing to say (gov - pot of money!) I hear what your saying, re - DWP/HMRC dishing out "loads" in benefits, to people not willing to work. However, the government, is pushing, almost literally, more & more people into work to get them off benefits. Dont get me wrong, this isnt altogether a bad thing. Joe public should be going out to work, however, I cant agree that any parent, should go out to work foresaking their children in the process. What I mean by this, Is... a single Mother with no family around, with a toddler, shouldnt be pushed to go out to work 40 hours a week, just to make ends meet. The toddler will suffer because of this & there are many people in this position. Im not suggesting, give her £500 a week to sit on her back side, even whilst her child goes off to school, but at least a single Mother ought to be able to have a more comfortable lifestyle, by not having to work, at least until her child went to school for instance. I could complicate my arguement further, but Id be typing forever, so Im not going to. I will just say, that this is my firm opinion & I will stick with it.

As for CSA post. In change in circumstances etc etc. I hear what your saying there too. However, working for the CSA, you will obviously be aware, that when a 2nd child is born to a NRP the assessment would only reduce by 5% (from 15 down to 10) which clearly wasnt just the case. Obviously you know your stuff, so Im not going to question you. However, I am fully aware of what I have seen 1st hand & so I can only say, that the CSA must make some exceptions to the rule??!

Perhaps I could pm you, one day :rolleyes: when I recieve some maintenance from the CSA ?! As judging my ex, Im pretty sure, Im not going to get from him, what they say I am entilted too. Maybe, I iwll be wrong & the CSA will force him to pay up the full amount? Who know's?!

xxx

They can't, it is as simple as that. Reductions in maintenance will be based purely on the legsilation that applies in those circumstances.

mystery07

kelloggs36 wrote: »

They can't, it is as simple as that. Reductions in maintenance will be based purely on the legsilation that applies in those circumstances.

Well, Im not quite sure what they did?! Must be some legislation that I dont know about?! All I know is what I have seen, on more than one occassion.

aussiesbird

I admire you kelloggs36 for doing the job you do and for obviously knowing your stuff and trying to be impartial, but it must get very stressful at times knowing what kind of reputation the CSA have. I Have had nothing but bad dealings with the CSA but it is nice to know that people like you do exist in their workplace and that you give up your free time to advise the likes of myself on this forum. Thank you I really appreciate your comments.

kelloggs36

mystery07 wrote: »

Well, Im not quite sure what they did?! Must be some legislation that I dont know about?! All I know is what I have seen, on more than one occassion.

You have probably not been told everything EXACTLY how it was? Honestly, if there were a way round it I would share it with you all, but there isn't.

Lady_S

cathy2702 wrote: »

I struggle financially but its so fulfilling to know that any piece of clothing, any present, any meal I make my child has been earned by me and is a gift to her from me. Having pride in myself, my child and my job is so fulfilling.

And also paid for by the CSA which you receive regularly from your childs NRP

Prudent

cathy2702 wrote: »

its difficult being a single parent, no one understands till they're in the situation.

It is very difficult. I think it would be great if people could avoid judgementalism about other people's life choices. No-one appreciates exactly what it is like to be in another's shoes. Please can we be kind to each other?

I could give you two pictures of single parents. Ask yourself which is doing better at it?

Case one: single parent of one school age child. PWC works very hard to support child at the level of a professional income. Buys and does up house in nice area. Uses mse tips to pay off mortgage. Never gets into debt. Provides good home cooked meals. Gives child nice holidays, good educational experiences, regularly visits and entertains family friends. Goes to theatre with child etc. Spends lots of available time with child.

Case two: single parent with one school age child. Leaves family home to escape ex who is threatening harm. Takes on a house they may not be able to afford to keep. Tries to protect child from press because of dubious activities of ex. Has unpaid periods off work due to excessive stress. Considers leaving job and living on benefits in a flat in location hundreds of miles away. Spends literally hours on phone to csa in desperate attempt to get money. Regularly sleeps at friends houses with child because it seems safer. Too emotionally washed out to properly help child cope through this frightening period. Discovers ex is taking child to new partner who has been previously been sectioned because of mental health issues. Feels even more stressed and unable to protect child. Again considers a period on benfits to have space to deal with situation.

Well its obvious which is the better parent isn't it?



In case one and two it is actually the same parent. Do not judge by what you can see.

BTW - I know both sides because I am that single parent. Fortunately now out the other side of the darker period and able to enjoy life again. Please don't judge.

mystery07

Prudent wrote: »

It is very difficult. I think it would be great if people could avoid judgementalism about other people's life choices. No-one appreciates exactly what it is like to be in another's shoes. Please can we be kind to each other?

I could give you two pictures of single parents. Ask yourself which is doing better at it?

Case one: single parent of one school age child. PWC works very hard to support child at the level of a professional income. Buys and does up house in nice area. Uses mse tips to pay off mortgage. Never gets into debt. Provides good home cooked meals. Gives child nice holidays, good educational experiences, regularly visits and entertains family friends. Goes to theatre with child etc. Spends lots of available time with child.

Case two: single parent with one school age child. Leaves family home to escape ex who is threatening harm. Takes on a house they may not be able to afford to keep. Tries to protect child from press because of dubious activities of ex. Has unpaid periods off work due to excessive stress. Considers leaving job and living on benefits in a flat in location hundreds of miles away. Spends literally hours on phone to csa in desperate attempt to get money. Regularly sleeps at friends houses with child because it seems safer. Too emotionally washed out to properly help child cope through this frightening period. Discovers ex is taking child to new partner who has been previously been sectioned because of mental health issues. Feels even more stressed and unable to protect child. Again considers a period on benfits to have space to deal with situation.

Well its obvious which is the better parent isn't it?



In case one and two it is actually the same parent. Do not judge by what you can see.

BTW - I know both sides because I am that single parent. Fortunately now out the other side of the darker period and able to enjoy life again. Please don't judge.

Perhaps a little jugdemental, but I think you sound like a fantastic mum, who's tried to do whats best for your child, well done!

I too, am perhaps similar, in some ways. And people are just too quick to judge. Infact, I was probably one of those, before being in the position myself. As you say, no one really know's except the person feeling it.

xxx

wifeforlife

Lady_S wrote: »

And also paid for by the CSA which you receive regularly from your childs NRP

Nothing paid for by the CSA, the CSA dont pay anything, they simply are a middle man between myself and my ex partner, so infact it's paid for by her father, which is how it should be. All of which goes straight to my dd's trust fund, which is my choice. I know people see it as money for the care of my child, but I like to budget my money for our needs and then money from her father is for her future. I live within my means thanks to this site and the great support from people.

Cate