CSA after age 16

Electone

Many thanks for that. I specifically emphasised the operative dates as I was wondering if the PWC has any thinking time in respect of 'the QC has not yet committed to Further Education but he is thinking about it'.
If however I am right and the case is closed then I presume if, at a later stage the QC finds a course etc. then she would have to reapply under the new rules, not CSA1 there is no linked case here.

xoAmyox

If the PWC were to re-apply within 13 weeks of the original case being closed, then they would be linked and the original 'rules' used.

If the gap is even a day longer than 13 weeks, the cases cannot be linked, and the CMS system would fall into place.

For some, this is better, for others, worse e.g. if you have high housing costs then the assessment on CSA1 is likely to be lower than the straight percentage of gross income used by the CMS, as CMS do not take into account outgoings.

Electone

Many thanks to all - another twist to the tale is that a 'change of circumstances' was applied resulting in a reasonable reduction of Maintenance because of the removal of the 'carer' element, for which I am grateful. However QC found a College Course, CB was continued and so was CSA payment. PWC did not like the new assessment amount as it reduced her income and appealed, then went on a 2 week holiday to Spain with her family. I have not had a holiday for some 6 years because of debt and CSA and of course the CSA will not implement the new assessment whilst there is a dispute, so my payments still remain approx £250 per month above what they should be. I asked the CSA to implement the new assessment whilst they sort out the dispute from PWC re Maintenance and from myself re Arrears but they are still taking the higher amount and any extra I earn to pay arrears that I dispute. I feel the PWC is using my son as a meal ticket at College as he didnt want any further education but was persuaded by his mother to pursue College. A query has arisen following all this and it is this - if the QC leaves College and doesnt tell me due to the influence from PWC, how can I find out in order to tell the CSA and cease payments - because the PWC wont. Going back to my previous posts, the Benefits Agency dont check as they have no manpower, the CSA dont check as they cant be bothered so they are reliant on myself or my ex to tell them. She wont as that would end the payments - and the Holidays etc !!

shoe*diva79

Children have to stay in some kind of education now until they are 18, that could be college or an apprenticeship etc so I'm sure the mother isn't making the QC pursue college just to get money from you, its the way things are! Surely college is better then your child doing nothing?

You can ask the CSA to check if CB is still being paid, it takes them just a few moments to do this whilst your on the phone. If you believe the PWC is claiming CB when she shouldn't be then you can report her for fraud.

You sound quite bitter at having to contribute to your child's upbringing Electone which is a real shame. At least you know the end will be in sight, maximum 4 years but more then likely 2 years left.

shegirl

As shoe diva says, it's not that the mother is forcing your child to go to college to get money from you, it is law that kids now HAVE to be in some form of education until the age of 18!

Electone

Many thanks to you both as I was aware of the education rule being introduced, but unsure as to when. However if son decides to leave college and get a job of some description, how can he be forced back into education or apprenticeship. I can see this happening as he is ' a free spirit' and has a mind of his own which I feel he will use. I am not bitter at providing 'a contribution towards' my sons upkeep, but have had 16 years of a battle trying to see him as regularly as I would have liked. I think its a familiar tale where we split and I had a new partner but PWC (never married) punished me by witholding rights of access. He has clearly been told not to discuss his home life with me and now he is 16 I am trying to build a relationship with him without having to contact his mother. Many thanks for the advice.