Child Maintenance / housing

clearingout

Csa_Survivor wrote: »

I stand by my comments, the guy would in effect be paying three lots of money, his assessment figure, the extra he chooses to give, then finally getting robbed through his taxes for all those benefits that single parents with care get!

You do realise that benefits are, for the most part, means tested? Or, perhaps better said, that there is no such thing as a 'benefit that single parents with care get'? That there are plenty of single parents out there who get nothing other than Child Benefit, and some not even that? And that a proportion of those PWC will never get a penny of support by way of maintenance from the ex?

This is a situation where a relationship has broken down and a woman with a 16 month old child has not been working. It will, more than likely, take some time for her to get her act together and work things out. By far the majority of 'single parents with care' end up working at least part-time because it is financially beneficial to do so.

So let's bust that myth: single parents with care are tax payers too.

Csa_Survivor

clearingout wrote: »

It is not correct. Depending on his income, he may well be entitled to help with rent through Housing Benefit, additional support with his Council Tax and Working Tax Credit.

Hi Clearingout,
Its pointless for me to comment on this as I know very little about the benefits system, I was purely responding to Honeynutloops list of possible benefits that could be available to this guys ex.
However, I think it a fairly good bet to suggest that he will be entitled to practically nothing, most single blokes working full time in most cases will earn above the level set for claiming any additional benefits.
Are you absolutely sure this guy could get help with rent from housing benefit, there is nothing in the original post suggesting that the lad does not work full time so I would find it very strange if he got any help with that?
As for additional support with council tax as far as I am aware a 25% discount for being a single occupant is the usual advantage of this situation?
With regards to Working Tax Credit, again I know very little, I always assumed this was available to couples with children only, but in this post we are talking about a bloke who will be shortly living on his own. And, as I have already touched on, the chances are he will be working full time and probably earning above any limit set that would let him qualify for this. For the benefit of anyone reading this though may I repeat, these are my own thoughts only and know nothing of the benefit system, other than a lot of people get them that should not!

Csa_Survivor

Sorry for any confusion, I was not suggesting there is a "benefit that single parents with care" can get as such, I had to use this term purely to make a point for this guy to put across to his son in his future position.
There are too many good, decent blokes on here that somehow feel, I don't know why, perhaps through guilt or duty, I don't know which, that they ought to pay more than their official maintenance payment when they split with a partner. Although this on the surface may seem an admirable thing to do it can inevitably end up being a very stupid thing to do for the reasons I put forward before should his circumstances change. I am sure everyone has noticed it is always people who have recently parted or about to part that suggest or touch on this idea when things are still raw, sensible thinking goes out the window.
I was merely trying to make the point that his son should only pay the official correct amount to his ex because she would be getting help from him in effect three times, once from his official payment, secondly from any extra he gave her and thirdly from the taxes he pays through working that yes, go towards her benefits as a single person with care in this particular situation.

Csa_Survivor

clearingout wrote: »

By far the majority of 'single parents with care' end up working at least part-time because it is financially beneficial to do so.

So let's bust that myth: single parents with care are tax payers too.

Ah yes but are they really tax payers? you can earn around 10k a year now without paying any tax whatsoever ,so , assuming someone is working as many as 24 hours a week part time at a rate of say up to £8 an hour, that is £9984 per year so no tax is paid!
Ha ha , sorry for that, could not resist , feeling mischievous again.

clearingout

Csa_Survivor wrote: »

Ah yes but are they really tax payers? you can earn around 10k a year now without paying any tax whatsoever ,so , assuming someone is working as many as 24 hours a week part time at a rate of say up to £8 an hour, that is £9984 per year so no tax is paid!
Ha ha , sorry for that, could not resist , feeling mischievous again.

Hilarious.

Again, you realise that not every PWC works part-time or in a minimum wage job? Some of us even have considerable disposable income that we spend on frivolous things like shoes and vodka and gel nails. That would be after the bills are paid, children are fed, watered, clothed and given toys to play with, of course.

clearingout

Csa_Survivor wrote: »

Hi Clearingout,
Its pointless for me to comment on this as I know very little about the benefits system, I was purely responding to Honeynutloops list of possible benefits that could be available to this guys ex.
However, I think it a fairly good bet to suggest that he will be entitled to practically nothing, most single blokes working full time in most cases will earn above the level set for claiming any additional benefits.

You claim to know nothing about benefits but make this kind of assumption?
Are you absolutely sure this guy could get help with rent from housing benefit, there is nothing in the original post suggesting that the lad does not work full time so I would find it very strange if he got any help with that?

Depending on where he lives, his earnings and his age, it is possible that some support in the form of Housing Benefit would be avaliable to him, yes.
As for additional support with council tax as far as I am aware a 25% discount for being a single occupant is the usual advantage of this situation?

The rules on Council Tax Benefit have changed in recent years and are set by the local council themselves. It is unlikely he would be eligible if he's working full-time but again, if he's on a low wage, it is possible.
With regards to Working Tax Credit, again I know very little, I always assumed this was available to couples with children only, but in this post we are talking about a bloke who will be shortly living on his own. And, as I have already touched on, the chances are he will be working full time and probably earning above any limit set that would let him qualify for this. For the benefit of anyone reading this though may I repeat, these are my own thoughts only and know nothing of the benefit system, other than a lot of people get them that should not!

Working tax credit is for people who work and earn low wages. Child Tax Credit is for people who have children. It is possible to receive both.

Yes, I'm sure. It would all be means tested and someone working full-time above minimum wage would likely be entitled to not very much at all but it's all relative and single men without care of their children are indeed eligible to receive the various benefits I mentioned.

shegirl

Csa_Survivor wrote: »

I don't understand where you are coming from with this comment? It would not matter if the guy gave his ex an extra hundred quid a week because she would still receive all those half a dozen benefits from the state regardless so that argument does not hold up does it!
Plus, may I add, who do you think pays towards those half a dozen benefits the lads ex will receive?, yeah that's right, myself and every other mug that works and pays taxes but I don't hear an argument on my behalf do I!
I stand by my comments, the guy would in effect be paying three lots of money, his assessment figure, the extra he chooses to give, then finally getting robbed through his taxes for all those benefits that single parents with care get!

What,benefits single parents who have often been left by their partners get?Obviously,they should all starve seeing as they are now on their own.

How horrific to not just keep a man hanging around to keep the rest of the country happy.I'm sorry my ex cheated and ran off,I didn't mean to let you down

:rotfl:

xJOJOx_2

My ex pays £200 a month child maintence, which is less than the recommended amount for our two children. However, we go half or he pays for something they need/want when they pop up. It also allows him to spend some money on the children and see "it" ie a new outfit etc. I hate to think off him paying loads on maintence, then spending more again.

This works for us and is fair on both parties. I think everyone is different, and needs to work for them. Csa can only claim a month back now as well if things do go sour.

His ex should have enough money to live on. Homeless line isn't any good. How many bedrooms does is have? If she has more than needed they will allow her to go on housing list. Either way she should be fine. I would suggest paying min maintence for now until things are settled and then if he wants to re evaluate later. Remenber, he may want more children down the line etc

Xx