Does child maintenance alter the amount of universal credit received?

seashore22

We are helping a close relative get back on their feet after fleeing the family home due to domestic abuse.

She has put in a claim for universal credit and the first payment is due soon. We are just about to start sorting out child support and have some questions.

Our relative has some idea about the annual salary of their partner, but they know that bonuses were received last year and a much larger bonus this year. We have tried to work out a budget and have a minimum figure for the amount of maintenance they will get, but not sure how the bonuses will change that.

Our question is, will a larger amount of maintenance give our relative a slightly higher standard of living or will universal credit be reduced by the same amount? Money will be incredibly tight even for the basics of living and this will be a considerable reduction in standard of living overall. Private rental is out of the question and they are a priority for social housing at the moment.

None of us have any experience in claiming benefits and any help would be appreciated.

poppy12345

This may help you.
https://www.gov.uk/how-child-maintenance-is-worked-out/child-maintenance-and-universal-credit

seashore22

So child maintenance may be lower if the receiving parent claims universal. Have I got that right?

Not what I expected.

calcotti

Child maintenance payments are ignored as income when calculating the amount of UC payable (spousal maintenance would be taken into account).
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/737398/admh5.pdf
para H5002 and H5080

calcotti

seashore22 wrote: »

So child maintenance may be lower if the receiving parent claims universal. Have I got that right?

Not what I expected.

The link says:
Receiving parents
"The ‘receiving parent’ is the parent with main day-to-day care of the child.
The Child Support Agency will contact receiving parents with a ‘1993 scheme’ case to discuss how Universal Credit might affect maintenance payments.
Otherwise your payments will not be affected."
If you are just making arrangements now you are clearly not going to be on a 1993 scheme so I interpret this as meaning your payments are not affected.

seashore22

calcotti wrote: »

The link says:
Receiving parents
"The ‘receiving parent’ is the parent with main day-to-day care of the child.
The Child Support Agency will contact receiving parents with a ‘1993 scheme’ case to discuss how Universal Credit might affect maintenance payments.
Otherwise your payments will not be affected."
If you are just making arrangements now you are clearly not going to be on a 1993 scheme so I interpret this as meaning your payments are not affected.

Thanks. We've had a hectic few weeks and not thinking too clearly.

Comms69

calcotti wrote: »

The link says:
Receiving parents
"The ‘receiving parent’ is the parent with main day-to-day care of the child.
The Child Support Agency will contact receiving parents with a ‘1993 scheme’ case to discuss how Universal Credit might affect maintenance payments.
Otherwise your payments will not be affected."
If you are just making arrangements now you are clearly not going to be on a 1993 scheme so I interpret this as meaning your payments are not affected.

Not sure who is actually still under the 1993 scheme, unless they're paying some big arrears!