Is child maintenance for school expenses?

[Deleted User]

Please can you tell me whether you think child maintenance covers any of the following costs?

1. School uniform
2. School shoes
3. School stationary/books
4. School bags/pe stuff
5. School trips

Or please tell me you think child maintenance does cover? I know what I think, but would prefer to get unbiased opinions. Thanks.

pigpen

It covers whatever you want to spend it on IMO.. preferably on the needs of the child regardless of what they are.. if they need uniform it goes on that, school or extra curricular activities if they need nothing else and in an emergency if you face having no electricity because you can't afford to pay it, it goes on that because keeping your child warm and fed is important..

It has absolutely nothing at all to do with the NRP what it is spent on though if that is the root of this question!

fashionlover10

I would have thought it would cover whatever the child needs like food, clothes, school stuff and a warm home.

iammumtoone

Interesting question. I receive child maintenance it should be for the child but it is down to the mother how it is spent. Personally my sons maintenance is spent on living expensives (mortgage etc) so whilst I am not spending it directly on him it is helping to keep a roof over his head.

His school stuff comes out of his child benefit.

[Deleted User]

Thanks, I have conflicting opinions from RL people.

Some think maintenance should be for day to day living cost, like housing/food/general clothing and towards the cost of running the marital home - which my ex would prefer us to stay in.

Some think that school expenses are additional costs not covered by child maintance and should be a shared expense by parents.

I wanted to gauge what is fair before I approach their father. He does pay a bit above what the CSA would suggest if that helps.

neverdespairgirl

Child maintenance is spent on looking after a child, in my view - so it includes paying the rent / mortgage and electricity bills (because children need a roof over their heads, etc), food, clothes, lesiure activities, school uniforms, all of it.

BitterAndTwisted

It should cover half of 1 through 4 but not 5, the school trips, as that is an optional expense. All of the other things are absolutely necessary, so payment can't be avoided for those.

pigpen

Deleted_User wrote: »

Thanks, I have conflicting opinions from RL people.

Some think maintenance should be for day to day living cost, like housing/food/general clothing and towards the cost of running the marital home - which my ex would prefer us to stay in.

Some think that school expenses are additional costs not covered by child maintance and should be a shared expense by parents.

I wanted to gauge what is fair before I approach their father. He does pay a bit above what the CSA would suggest if that helps.

If he is paying above what it is deemed he should (unless he is on a huge wage and you very little) I'd think it a bit cheeky asking for more tbh.. School things are 'day-to-day' expenses.. they go to school 5 days a week so wear uniform more than general clothes.

I'd consider one off things like residential trips as stuff you could maybe ask for a further contribution for .. I can't think of anything else I would think it acceptable to ask for more.. though getting some maintenance in the first place would be nice!

JoW123

I would say the same as Bitter and Twisted as in half of 1-4. School trips etc are slightly different. I guess it depends on your relationship with your ex as to whether they want to pay more to contribute to trips etc. My ex only gives me what the CSA says and I don't ask for any more although this year he's obviously feeling flush as he has offered to contribute to sons birthday party!!

GwylimT

It should be for anything a child needs, whether that be putting some towards the heating bill, food bill, rent clothes etc. Obviously it wont cover them all and it shouldn't, but who ever is spending it should priorities the most important things for the child that month.

[Deleted User]

Thank you for your replies, they are helpful.

So the general consensus seems to be that CM covers all school supplies except school trips/school swimming lessons.

Thank you.