Maintenance Payments Ending

[Hula0565890]

The spousal and child maintenance payments between me and my ex are due to end in September as per the court order. From Oct all costs of our kids will then be shared evenly between us.

My ex earns at least 3 times the amount I currently do. AIBU to ask if they will be willing to split the costs more than 50/50 in light of this, appreciating this cannot be enforced?

Well.it wouldn't just be PIP it would be UC too I'm just pointing out that as a disabled adult you wouldn't be expected to financially support him ,not what my own particular philosophies are .

Sorry to intervene, just wanted to make people aware that as far as I’ve been told you cannot claim UC as a student (unless very very specific conditions apply).
My DC is a student and has become too unwell to attend uni atm. They claim PIP but we have been told in order to claim UC they would have to give up their course. They are also not eligible for student funding atm as not able to attend uni so I am having to try a support them financially.

In order to claim UC you have to be available, and actively seeking, work. Being a student and being unable to attend university due to ill health would preclude Dc on both counts. PIP would appear to be the correct financial support, as they presumably have already received student finance for this year?

No, their student finance is paid in instalments so that stopped quite a while ago as they are too ill to attend uni atm.
PIP is the only benefit payable but not enough to live off. We have been told that DC would have to give up uni to claim any other benefits. They now have a long term disability, but are hoping to eventually be able to go back to uni. They may have to give up uni eventually but it’s something that took a long time to get a place on so still hoping for the best.

@Laurmolonlabe I need to make a correction. DD's financial agreement with Oxford didn't say she had to agree not to work in term-time - just that the funding was available to cover her going. However the Oxford uni website reads: “Term-time employment is not permitted except under exceptional circumstances and in consultation with your tutor and senior tutor. During vacations, you will be required to complete academic work and this should take priority over other commitments. However, the Careers Service can help you to find work experience placements during the vacations, with the agreement of your tutor."

Again though, Oxbridge is generally more affordable than other unis because of the shorter terms, cheaper halls and bursaries available.

I'm not saying that part-time working /Gap years are a bad thing. In fact, they can be positively advantageous in many circumstances - but it's important to realize that it's not as simple as "Well, they can get a job/do a Gap year". There is an expectation of parental support if you have a higher income. Martin Lewis' website explains the situation really well; https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/students/student-loans-england-plan-5/

@Laurmolonlabe I need to make a correction. DD's financial agreement with Oxford didn't say she had to agree not to work in term-time - just that the funding was available to cover her going. However the Oxford uni website reads: “Term-time employment is not permitted except under exceptional circumstances and in consultation with your tutor and senior tutor. During vacations, you will be required to complete academic work and this should take priority over other commitments. However, the Careers Service can help you to find work experience placements during the vacations, with the agreement of your tutor."

Again though, Oxbridge is generally more affordable than other unis because of the shorter terms, cheaper halls and bursaries available.

I'm not saying that part-time working /Gap years are a bad thing. In fact, they can be positively advantageous in many circumstances - but it's important to realize that it's not as simple as "Well, they can get a job/do a Gap year". There is an expectation of parental support if you have a higher income. Martin Lewis' website explains the situation really well; https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/students/student-loans-england-plan-5/

I'm surprised, because when you Google it lots of student jobs come up- no uni is particularly thrilled if you work, particularly bar type work as it means you are often tired/ sleepy. It depends what sort of student you are, I didn't work except in the holidays and I was still very busy with reading and essays when I wasn't in lectures, but if the financial situation demands it I don't think they could really penalise you.

@Laurmolonlabe I've been surprised by the whole thing tbh! Didn't realize how much the whole situation had changed - I'd thought, "Oh well, she'll get a loan" - then realized that for some unis, loans wouldn't even cover hall fees. I don't envy students today - I worked part-time in a chippy when I was at uni, but that was to pay for drinking and travel!

Well ,yes someone has told you- but unless it is in black and white make a claim and see. I have been given incorrect information on eligibility several times- the only way to be sure is to make a claim and get a decision. I discovered I could have claimed UB when I was a student because lectures were less than 21 hours a week- but I had been told at benefit offices I was not eligible. Only the claim decision makers can make this call- everything else that is not printed is anecdotal and should be disregarded.

Thank you for the advice, I have checked a few times with the claim line and also checked myself online.

I don't think it's at all unreasonable for the parent with more money to pay more of uni costs. But this isn't for you to ask your ex. Your kids are adults now. It's between them and their father. Equally, any support you are able to provide us between you and them.