Child support issues

[wonderstuff99]

Ex and I broke up in June, he moved down to London to live with his sister and basically live off her and his mum. Knew he wasn't claiming JSA so didn't ask for money.

He started a job 4 weeks ago (this is his 5th week) and last week I asked, "So when are you going to start making payments towards our son/" His response was "Soon" which I told him wasn't good enough and that I needed an actual date, so he said this Wednesday (in 2 days time) and I said, "I expect they will be backdated 4 weeks."

Tonight he came over and I asked him if the money would still be coming in on Weds and he claimed ignorance to the conversation we had last week (he's shockingly good at "forgetting things"). So I reminded him and he said that he would work out what he had to pay and pay it, but it wouldn't be back dated. I argued and said this wasn't what we agreed but he just basically said the conversation didn't happen and that it wouldn't be backdated.

What's my next step? I really would like to work this out between us but I can imagine the stress it's going to cause me to get it. Should I just head straight to child maintenance and start a claim/whatever it's called?

He's currently sofa surfing so doesn't have a permanent address but I do know where he works.

I should add that before we split it June, he hadn't worked/claimed JSA since Sept. So I was paying for everything. He's not given me a penny towards out son for a long time.

[ChiefBillyNacho]

I'd go to the CSA or whatever they are called these days. He's trying to wriggle out of paying anything. I left it a year for the same reason - not rocking the boat and when I did claim, they couldn't backdate it. So the sooner you put in a claim the better.

Find out where he is working too, as if he still refuses to pay they will do an attachment of earnings. I feigned interest in xh's new job to get the information without him knowing why I was asking.

It was pretty straightforward once the claim was in and I got all of 2 months' payments until he got sacked! But it was straightforward to get it set up.

[starlight1234]

I would say see what happens Wednesday as chances are you won't get paid by the sounds of it. If he doesn't pay Wednesday no more chances I wouldn't tell him simply put in a claim

What does he mean he is going to work out what he has to pay ..Does he mean CSA calculator ?

The CSA won't backdate . I am not sure why anyone should have to ask for maintenance to be provided with it but I don't think you will get far .

[kinkyfuckery]

Have you made him aware that if you have to claim through the CMS that he will have to pay a charge on top?
If he is going to pay, that may make him pay up rather than you having to start a claim.

[nomoretether]

That's not necessarily correct, kinky. The charge for the NRP is only if the CMS decide he should be on Collect & Pay rather than Direct Pay.

I would "threaten" going to the CMS to see if you can get him to cough up (including back pay) without going to them but I also would hesitate to actually put a claim in if no funds are forthcoming as other posters have said, it won't be backdated.