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Original poster

To think the CMS should include Childcare Vouchers

45 replies

AnonDadUK · 11/06/2024 14:16

Odd that Childcare Vouchers are not included under CMS given the very name of CMS being Child Maintenance. I have written to my MP - Tory so unless he gets something out of it unlikely to do anything with it - but it is crazy this can not be used as part of child maintenance.

OP posts:
Original poster
AnonDadUK · 11/06/2024 15:20

"DanceTheDevilBackIntoHisHole · Today 15:09
Why are you not just using the vouchers to pay the childcare provider?.if you have them two days a week are they only weekends or any weekdays in which case you should be paying for childcare that day."

To confirm, I have them 40% of the time during the week to include 2 nights, it should be 3 or 4 on alternative weeks, and no good reason not to, so I guess I'll just have to go the legal route as I also have pretty much the same costs as her and get zero money from her toward the children and the expectation that I then fund all extra-curricular activities. The childcare vouchers have been paid on top of the maintenance which I pay her.

Appreciate this website loves to slag off men as all being deadbeat Dads' but those of us trying to do our best really do get shafted.

OP posts:
DanceTheDevilBackIntoHisHole · 11/06/2024 15:09

Why are you not just using the vouchers to pay the childcare provider?.if you have them two days a week are they only weekends or any weekdays in which case you should be paying for childcare that day.

RainbowZebraWarrior · 11/06/2024 15:01

Danikm151 · 11/06/2024 14:50

the childcare voucher scheme closed to new applicants a while ago.
CMS is a general contribution towards the cost of raising a child. If anything it’s a reimbursement for costs already paid. Rent, bills, food, clothes.

You don’t get to dictate what it is spent on.

This!

IncompleteSenten · 11/06/2024 15:00

If you can't afford it then go back to CMS and ask them to recalculate.
She's not wrong to expect that you cover half of the total cost of raising the child you share but if you are doing that or more then reduce it.
If she uses that to badmouth you to the child then go to court and attempt to get primary custody, citing parental alienation.

Original poster
AnonDadUK · 11/06/2024 14:57

"vodkaredbullgirl · Today 14:52
Well stop paying for extra's."

So then she can say "You can't do this because Daddy doesn't want you to?"

OP posts:
Original poster
AnonDadUK · 11/06/2024 14:56

"Reugny · Today 14:51
You can decrease the amount of money you put into the scheme to the minimum. Then once your account is empty pull out.

The vouchers are going directly to the childcare provider NOT your children's mother.

However just remember one day your kids will be teenagers and particularly if you don't get on with their mother they will think you didn't pay anything towards their up keep at the moment you can prove otherwise. Do you want to keep it that way?"

Have them 40% of the time and they certainly don't go without. I also put money into savings accounts for them both monthly, which will mean they both get around £20/£25k at 18. Have been told by their mother that's my choice, which it is, and that it should be money "she" gets....🙄

OP posts:
Original poster
AnonDadUK · 11/06/2024 14:54

"Danikm151 · Today 14:50
the childcare voucher scheme closed to new applicants a while ago.
CMS is a general contribution towards the cost of raising a child. If anything it’s a reimbursement for costs already paid. Rent, bills, food, clothes.

You don’t get to dictate what it is spent on."

Yet, the children spend 40% of their time with me, I don't get 40% toward my costs. The system is rigged against those who are genuinely trying to do their best due to deadbeat parents in the past

OP posts:
vodkaredbullgirl · 11/06/2024 14:52

Well stop paying for extra's.

Original poster
AnonDadUK · 11/06/2024 14:52

"Reallybadidea · Today 14:49
Nobody has to go through the CMS. Have you tried asking your ex whether she will come to arrangement with you? As the childcare vouchers would be of benefit to you then you could even offer a higher total amount than the CMS would award if she agrees herself to include the vouchers instead of going through the CMS."

Tried but she deems it her money - ironically she would be financially better off if she was to allow me to include them - is what it is.

"Waitingforsummer75 · Today 14:49
If your income has decreased by more than 25% then apply for a mandatory reconsideration. You're clearly looking for ways to pay less towards the daily cost of bringing up your children"

Negative, I pay for all school related costs, sports related activity etc. If I was trying to dodge it, surely I would nip that in the bud?

OP posts:
Reugny · 11/06/2024 14:51

You can decrease the amount of money you put into the scheme to the minimum. Then once your account is empty pull out.

The vouchers are going directly to the childcare provider NOT your children's mother.

However just remember one day your kids will be teenagers and particularly if you don't get on with their mother they will think you didn't pay anything towards their up keep at the moment you can prove otherwise. Do you want to keep it that way?

Danikm151 · 11/06/2024 14:50

the childcare voucher scheme closed to new applicants a while ago.
CMS is a general contribution towards the cost of raising a child. If anything it’s a reimbursement for costs already paid. Rent, bills, food, clothes.

You don’t get to dictate what it is spent on.

Waitingforsummer75 · 11/06/2024 14:49

If your income has decreased by more than 25% then apply for a mandatory reconsideration. You're clearly looking for ways to pay less towards the daily cost of bringing up your children

Reallybadidea · 11/06/2024 14:49

Nobody has to go through the CMS. Have you tried asking your ex whether she will come to an arrangement with you? As the childcare vouchers would be of benefit to you then you could even offer a higher total amount than the CMS would award if she agrees herself to include the vouchers instead of going through the CMS.

Original poster
AnonDadUK · 11/06/2024 14:49

I am not NRP by choice - have them 2 nights a week and 40% of the time during the week when they are not with childminder/at school - sadly looks like it is time for a court hearing as I also pay, on top of CMS, all school clothing, sports clothing, sports etc.

OP posts:
Original poster
AnonDadUK · 11/06/2024 14:47

Not at all - but as she has gone militant I am getting a double whammy if I am using them and then paying her CMS which is based on an income I earned 16 months ago. (I don't earn close to that anymore)

OP posts:
OfDragonsDeep · 11/06/2024 14:47

Surely you’d just use them to pay for childcare when you need it on your time?

QueenOfTheEntireFuckingUniverse · 11/06/2024 14:47

Should childcare vouchers be able to be used as well as CM? Absolutely yes.

Should they be used instead of? No.

I think it's madness that the NRP isn't jointly responsible for childcare costs. On top of maintenance

vodkaredbullgirl · 11/06/2024 14:46

Is this so you can pay less money to your ex?

Original poster
AnonDadUK · 11/06/2024 14:44

It is still money I am paying toward the children which benefits their mother - ergo, she then doesn't have to pay that amount to the childminder. If I am not able to use them toward that - as decided by CMS - then what is the point in even having the scheme?

OP posts:
vodkaredbullgirl · 11/06/2024 14:23

Because they are 2 separate things.

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