paying child maintance whilst on SMP?

mum80

I wanted a run down, ive just had a newborn, i have two kids both 19 from a previous relationship who i pay child maintance for, im on maternity leave now and receive SMP payments from my work, do i still have to pay child maintance?? Obviously my payments have been lowered because of my new addition, paying £238 but i take home just over £500 now and Child Maintance havnt taken into factor though im on much lower pay now and still expect me to pay full whack?? Surely theyve got it wrong. Any advice or help would be muchly appreicated :money:

mattpaint

Do the costs go down for the other parent?

mum80

They have done, i was paying 289 but cm only took into account my new addition so lowered it to 238, even though i told them im on smp now which is much much lowerer

mattpaint

It sounds like they just haven't taken the temporary lowered income into account - have you spoken to them?

mum80

Yes, but nothing has been done they reviewed it and came up the set amount stated, i cant afford rent, council tax shopping bills etc if they take the full amount off of me, bd and unfortunately i sont qualify for any help from the government, im furious

MEM62

If you are paying and they are 19, I assume that they are both still in full-time education?

If you reduce the amount of financial support that you provide for them have any plans been put into place to address the shortfall?

The positive thing from your viewpoint is that, once they reach 20 your legal obligation to support them ends.

LilElvis

You could always return to work, which would obviously increase your income and allow you to meet your financial obligations.

Broadyx

If you're paying through DEO or AEO then you shouldn't be paying if your only income is SMP.

mum80

my child is only 4 weeks old so i wont be going back im taking 9 months, as i rightly should have

MandM90

mum80 wrote: »

my child is only 4 weeks old so i wont be going back im taking 9 months, as i rightly should have

Have you spoken to Child Maintenance Service, and perhaps the Citizens Advice Bureau?

Googling I can't find any clarity, but it looks like Maternity Allowance means you'd only pay flat rate, but not SMP (which sounds like you'll be on). Some past forumites hav claimed that the CMS have refused to drop it if drop in income is temporary, but you need to hash that out with them really.

If they're saying they won't take the drop into account, I would just suck it up - the resident parent won't have fewer costs because you're earning less. Unless the CMS have messed up and misinformed you your options are probably:

- Go back to work earlier and arrange childcare
- Pick up some weekend shifts somewhere whilst your partner cares for baby, to fill the deficit
- Find a job which has regular night shifts/differing shifts from your partner just for a few months until you're no longer liable for the paryments

LilElvis

mum80 wrote: »

my child is only 4 weeks old so i wont be going back im taking 9 months, as i rightly should have

Taking nine months maternity leave is a personal choice. If you can't afford to support all your children then you need to return to work - who else do you think should support them? Perhaps you should have given your personal finances more thought 10 months ago.