Shared care

starry93

Hi,

I am desperate for some advice on child maintenance .
I have a 6yr old so,n and have a 50/50 shared care arrangement with my ex.
We split because due to domestic abuse, bullying, harassment etc and I have had lots of support from the police and Woman's aid.

My ex has always claimed the CB and once I left I made a claim for tax credits as I only work 24 hours a week.

In the last few weeks my ex has also put a claim in for tax credits and they have been awarded to him and mine has stopped.

He is only getting £400 per year as he works full ltime where as I was getting £3500 per year.

I know that he has only done this to make my difficult, and the police are even saying that it is all about his control over me.

I have put appeals in for CB and TC but this could take months.

The benefits office have advised me to mediate with him to see if he will let me claim and then I pay him some of the benefits but He is refusing to do this.

I am living hand to mouth now and was wondering if I could put a claim in for Child Maintenance?
I would be grateful for any advise.

princessdon

You'd be better off asking about maintenance on the child support board.

clearingout

I'm afraid that the 'qualifier' for child maintenance is usually Child Benefit. As a result, he could start claiming from you.

allen35

I'm thinking the same, the parent who receives Child Benefit is classed as the parent with care (PWC) and can claim CM from the other parent.

Not sure of the legislation with 50/50 care but sure the main factor is who receives Child Benefit.

DaisyFlower

Can you not up your hours or take on a second job? 24 hours work a week will not support two people unless you are a very high earner.

Usually the person claiming the CB can pursue the other parent for child support. I disagree with it in 50/50 shared care as both parents are them sharing cost equally anyway but i dont think the CSA see it that way?

nannytone_2

this is an exact repeat of the thread you started last week.
you were given advice then, and the advice you are given now will be no different

pmlindyloo

Just in case you want to reread the advice you were given it is here:

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4652731=

starry93

Last week I asked about Child Benefit and Tax Credits and today I am asking about child maintenance.

I am worried sick about how I am going to cope and am looking at all avenues.

I am new to posting and really don't need anyone being horrible.

I have thought about finding another job but it is awkward with shared care arrangements as I have my son on Mon, Tue, fri sat, sun on 1st week and pick him up from school and 2nd week is wed, thurs. If I had to use child care on week 2 I would hardly see my son.

nannytone_2

the childs main residence ( for school/doctors etc) is your address. you were told to challenge this.
if care is 50/50 then you wont get maintainence

starry93

Our son has always been registered with the same doctors as me, and I have told the school that we have shared care but I think that they might have him down as residing at both houses.
I will put a appeal in and see what happens.
Thanks