paying child maintance whilst on SMP?

Fire_Fox

mum80 wrote: »

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

Welcome to MSE.

Who are 'they'? What is your baby's other parent paying for your household bills and maintenance? Maybe they can get a second job.

Such benefits do not really go to or come from the government. It is for the benefit of all British households, or is not taken from other British citizens who cannot afford to bankroll your family planning decisions. It is (rightly) paying for your and your baby's NHS care, and later many years of education. We are very fortunate in this country with what is actually loads of costly help.

It is worrying you chose to have a baby and chosen a lengthy absence that you believe you cannot afford. That cannot trump the needs of the other two children.

Consider completing a detailed Statement of Affairs - income and outgoings - and post up on Debt-free Wannabe for comments. There may be an error or you may well be able to save on many of your outgoings.

Heating and hot water for example: better basic insulation of windows (thick long curtains, plastic/ magnetic secondary glazing), set thermostat to recommended level (newborns need safe not hot), in adult spaces heat yourself (electric blanket/ throw) not the whole room, shorter or less frequent baths and showers.

Plenty of research shows that single people living alone are by far the most likely to be in poverty in the UK, not able to cover the essentials for health. Nobody is furious about that.

mark5

You can usually get a recalculation if your income changes by more than 25% which it sounds like yours has.

thorsoak

mum80 wrote: »

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

My friend has a 9 week old baby - her husband (of 10 years) walked out on his wife and baby and is now living with another woman, by whom he also has a baby! Friend has decided that in order to keep the mortgage from going into arrears she has no option but to return to work, because he is not going to pay CM voluntarily.

She was due to take 9 months maternity leave, but has had to change her plans, regardless of whether rightly she should take it or not. Sadly, its not unusual :-(

Gavin83

If you aren't earning the money anymore they really should be revising the contribution. I'd appeal the decision.

sheramber

you can calculate what you should pay here

https://www.gov.uk/calculate-child-maintenance

pinkshoes

mum80 wrote: »

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

When did you start maternity? Are you still in the 6 weeks at 90% salary bit (or whatever it is now)?

That would explain why the payment is so high still.

Could the 19 year olds come and live with you or stay more?

Could you not arrange to pay them directly to avoid the fee involved with the CMS?

It's nice you WANT to have 9 months maternity, but you need to consider the needs of your other children. By the sounds of it, you cannot afford to take 9 months without your other children suffering.

Spendless

What's the situation with your 19yo twins? Are they still in further education? If they've moved to Higher education (eg University) or they're working including an apprenticeship then there's no obligation for you still to be paying maintainance.

If they are in a 3rd year of further education, then you'll need to work out how you can continue to contribute whilst on maternity.

TBagpuss

CMS should normally reduce if there is a dignificant change to your income.
I would suggest using the online ca;lculator to work out what you think the rigjht figure is, based on your income, and then apply formally / submit an appeal to the CMS. If they are saying it should not change even of SMP, ask them to clarify why.
It may be, given how recently you gave borth, that they are looking at your average income.

Whendo your children finish education? Are you on terms with their other paretns which would let you agree a variation voluntarily, or an agreement to reduce payment now and make up the arrears later?

onwards&upwards

Nobody should be having more children if it means they can’t then support the ones they have.

pinkshoes

Spendless wrote: »

What's the situation with your 19yo twins? Are they still in further education? If they've moved to Higher education (eg University) or they're working including an apprenticeship then there's no obligation for you still to be paying maintainance.

If they are in a 3rd year of further education, then you'll need to work out how you can continue to contribute whilst on maternity.

Don't CM payment stop as soon as a child turns 20?

And for 19 year olds, isn't it just for when they are in A Level equivalents? E.g. university does not count.