CSA and Benefits etc

[Liam88]

hi all,

things are going great with my ex partner and im building a great bond with my daughter Lilli now and faster than id anticipated

like i said in my other thread my plan was to buy things for Lilli myself and pass them onto my ex partner as 1, i had an issue with handing money over and 2, i greatly enjoyed spending time and money on shopping for my daughter but we've discussed things briefly and she says she is only just getting by on the money she is receiving and has suggested about CSA payments, now although this is fine by me i would like to know if i did it through the CSA would my ex partner get reduced benefits? i.e child tax and child support?

in your opinions what is the best way to go about it? i did suggest paying £100 pounds to her monthly via direct debit aswell as me continuing to buy things that she needed but is it better to go through the CSA for both our sakes?

Thanks

[Amethyst]

Re: CSA and Benefits etc

Its great to hear thing are going so well, I'm not an expert but I feel that, for you, it may be best to go through the CSA as your payments are then recorded and if any thing did happen to break down the good relationship you have now later on there wouldn't be any back dated claim. It also gives you a set amount to pay - you are still free to give her more as well and buy gifts etc for Lilli - but the minimum amount is set so if you do struggle you can refer back to that.

If on income support it will affect that and it will be reduced (check that that hasn't changed recently though) but it has no affect on child tax credits, or council tax or housing benefits.

I had a 'casual' arrangement with child maintenance just between me and my ex - but it was all so hit or miss and there was no avenues to fall back on if he just felt like not paying for a few months - so I went through the CSA - they have simply set the amount and with it being 'formal' I feel more secure and the ex pays more regularly - he still pays cash or direct to my bank so they are not really involved in anyway - we just have something in writing that is legally binding - saying how much he should pay so we both feel the amount is fair and if he stops again he and I know I can go get it enforced (I think it is called Maintenance Direct - have a read on the Child Maintenance Options website as they have tons of info - Steps to take when Setting up a CSA Maintenance Arrangement - Child Maintenance Options )

[Gorang]

Re: CSA and Benefits etc

is it better to go through the CSA for both our sakes?

NO NO NO NO

The CSA do NOT care about either parent (and I don't care what anyone says as that is a fact in my opinion) as I am battling the CSA right now for one of my good mates, once they get their claws into you and your expartner then that is game over, and it will affect BOTH of you and not in a good way either

Anotherone of the Mods over at PCF will also tell you the same as he has personally battled with them for the last few years

I am not going to go into details with either case, but please take my word for it the CSA are NOT good AT ALL

The BEST way to sort this is

If you have a good relationship with your ex then come to an agreement between your selves then get it on black and white and BOTH of you sign it and have copies of it, even get a solicitor (if you can afford to) just to write up what you both decide on, then both sign and the solicitor to sign as a witness and all keep a copy each

If you can't afford a solicitor then just write sumit up on the computer, print, both sign and also get a witness that you BOTH trust to counter sign as well, then all 3 keep copies

I just can't stress enough

DO NOT GO THROUGH THE CSA as they are a NIGHTMARE and most of them do NOT know what they are saying or doing

CSA have actually MORE power than the Tax people and they STILL continually get it WRONG on a daily basis, and once they get it wrong they will NOT change it at ALL even if they can see its a mistake by them, they STILL will not change that decision AT ALL

CSA will over time make a good relationship between 2 parents a BAD relationship, and thats a GARENTEE


Sorry rant over

EDIT

Forgot to add
For records of payments just set up a standing order or a D/D and entitle it Child Payments so it shows like that on both of you statements

[Liam88]

Re: CSA and Benefits etc

thanks for that Gorang, i will discuss it with her

[SpringerSpaniel]

Re: CSA and Benefits etc

I have worked for the CSA in the past. (You will all hate me now).

They do not exist to get more money for lone parents or for children, but to reduce the amount of benefits paid out.

Strictly speaking, if you buy items for your child, this is seen as income for your partner, her benefits will be reduced to take this into account, and if she doesn't declare this she is regarded as committing benefit fraud and her payments can be docked while this is investigated.

Many mums don't know this; if dad buys things for his kids or pays for things for them, mum doesn't think of this as 'her money', it doesn't go into her purse and she doesn't control how it is spent. she is pleased that that children's dad is doing things for them, as you are. It never occurs to mum that this money is 'hers' or therefore that it should be declared.

Dads do not think that they are doing anything other than raising the total funds avaiable in thier child's home.

The CSA however think that the money mum has should come at least partly from dad and not from the state, and thier processes are designed to ensure this. (There are after all some men who - unlike you - father children and then do not contribute in any way, leaving the woman less able to work due to looking after thier son/ daughter; the CSA is partly to make this harder to do).

However it is widely considered eg by the Child Poverty action Group, that the amount of money on benefit is hardly enough to have a healthy life, let alone buy the things most people would like thier kids to have .

[Gorang]

Re: CSA and Benefits etc

I have worked for the CSA in the past. (You will all hate me now).

Not by me SS as I don't ever think that the job refelcts the person

I try to live by the rules
Take as I find
and
Treat others the way I like to be treated myself

UNTIL they take the pi$$ lol

Strictly speaking, if you buy items for your child, this is seen as income for your partner

I agree with you here that this is SUPPOSED to happen but I know for a fact that it doesn't ALWAYS happen, as my good mate bought things for his daughter and the CSA's response was "SO ! !" in the sence that it made no difference what he bought for her, this is only part of the reason why we are battling aginst them

[Liam88]

Re: CSA and Benefits etc

thanks guys, unsure which way to go now.

[valeriej43]

Re: CSA and Benefits etc

DO NOT go through the CSA if you want to keep your sanity, 2 of my sons are paying dearly for the CSAs mistakes, one of them has only £50 to last him a month after he has paid his rent and the CSA dont give a damn, they do NOT care about absent fathers, do NOT care if you have enough to live on, they make BIG mistakes, and it takes ages to sort out
My sons were giving their exes money, but made the mistake of not having proof, and were ordered to pay arrears as if they hadnt paid anything
The CSA should means test fathers, because believe me my sons exes both have cars, the house the furniture and the kids, who one in particular made it impossible for him to see, the CSA will rob you blind
I am a pensioner and try to help out when i can, but cant see my sons without food etc, neither of them have a car,they cant afford to go out
I have written to David Cameron, and Nick Clegg saying how unfair the system is
Both my sons have never refused to pay , but the CSA are taking it out of their wages, and any mistakes they make you dont get back, they knock a bit off future payments, but they are a shambles, dont know what they are doing
I hope you have not already agreed to go through them, but any payments you make to your ex, GET PROOF
------------------------------- merged -------------------------------
Just realised this is an old thread, but hope it helps someone

[Hurricane Puffrose]

Re: CSA and Benefits etc

personally i would have the agreement written down, signed by both parties and signed by a solicitor rather than deal with the CSA! There are too many cases of parents battling because of the CSA!

Your doing a good job with the way your going atm.. why ruin it? You will have proof of payments on your bank statements, and if you really wanna make sure its clear, why not open an account for the little one and pay it in there?

[valeriej43]

Re: CSA and Benefits etc

I totally agree, but even then if the ex wants to involve the CSA they will go ahead and ask for more than the father is already paying,
This happened to someone i know,and this man is now in the same situation as my sons
The CSA need packing in,
Why cant they go back to the days of going to court, at least the fathers income and outgoings were taken into account, or if keeping the CSA make it means tested
The ex wife of one of my sons told them she had no income, we know for a fact she is working full time for the council ,also married again, husband self employed, and has a small business from home,making wedding cakes etc,
My son had one of the children living with him,as the mother said she couldnt cope with him, did my son get child support for him, NO, and the CSA know about this, but nothing done

[valeriej43]

Re: CSA and Benefits etc

Just received a letter from Nick Cleggs office,thanking me for my letter, but that he has asked for my letter to him be passed on to the DWP so they can respond directly tomeas it is a matter for them, so will update if i receive a letter from them

[Liam88]

Re: CSA and Benefits etc

hi, sorry not been on in a while, for anyone who read my other thread which explains everything, me and my ex got back together towards the end of November, things are great, we have got own place in February and put the past down to a mistake to be forgotten about. i almost feel guilty for troubling you on here as once we actually communicated with each other properly at the time of mediation last year things rapidly sorted themselves out but it was still a very difficult period for both of us prior to that no thanks to other people (we certainly wont be letting that happen again)

were expecting our second child in December.

[FTW Mamuskills]

Re: CSA and Benefits etc

Congratulations on getting back together. Its always a good sign when a seperation works out amicably and then a reconciliation occurs. That shows a great sign moving forward with your relationship.

Well done matey

[Hurricane Puffrose]

Re: CSA and Benefits etc

PLEASE never ever apologise for giving us such WONDERFUL news! Much much love going to you, mummy to be and big sister to be!!

Its the greatest news I have heard all week, and I know that I speak for everyone when I say we would rather give advice a billion times and it turn out this well than give it out once and the poster end up unhappy.

Many many congratulations on your new start, and new life! wonderful wonderful, tears of genuine happiness for you hun!

Keep us up to date with Baby!!

<3 much love

p

[Celestine]

Re: CSA and Benefits etc

Wow!! That is AMAZING!!!

Liam, I'm so sorry I didn't notice this thread till now, but I just went back to your original thread to have a read of our chats this time last year.

Advice Please - Legal Beagles Consumer Forum

So as you can imagine I am extremely chuffed to read that the attitude you adopted NOT only worked in getting you access to your daughter but has also resulted in the repair of your relationship!! And another baby on the way too

CONGRATULATIONS and a MASSIVE HUG!!!


Cel xxx