Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Legal matters

Mumsnet has not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you have any legal concerns we suggest you consult a solicitor.

Confused about CSA

5 replies

mumtwo3 · 12/03/2013 12:20

Hi I am new to this site and was unsure where to post my thread apologies if its in the wrong topic)

My husband has a 10 yr old stepson who lives with us. His ex has not paid anything in terms of maintenance for 1.5 yrs (apart from £150). I finally managed to persuade my DH to go through the CSA (especially as his ex showed that he had no intention of making regular payments) and arrange regular payments (this was a struggle in itself as he likes to think things are 'amicable' between him and his ex. He contacted the CSA and although we knew his ex was not currently working (she was made redundant at Xmas) we thought we would get the minimum £5 a week. The CSA have done all of their checks etc and come back saying that as her son stops with her approx 52 days in a year, she does not need to pay anything towards him. How can this be correct? As he is still with us the other 300 odd days in a year. She also pays absoloutly nothing towards him in terms of clothes, swimming lessons, scouts fees etc etc. The CSA also said that they could not back date the claim either which seems unfair as she was working last year. Please advise

OP posts:
Bogeyface · 12/03/2013 12:22

All you can do is wait until she gets another job and go back to the CSA then. IT sucks but they have to leave her with a minimum amount by law to live on and if she is on basic benefits for one person then that is about £70 a week, so they wont expect any contribution.

Bogeyface · 12/03/2013 12:24

Incidentally, AIBU can be a bit forthright! You might want to report your post to Mumnsnet HQ (use the report link on your post) and as them to move it to chat or legal or Lone Parents.

mumtwo3 · 12/03/2013 14:33

Thanks for your help bogeyface x 2

OP posts:
STIDW · 14/03/2013 22:53

The child support rules are a blunt instrument and when the non resident parent is assessed at the the flat rate the amount of child maintenance payable is nil if they share care for more than 52 nights a year. See Schedule 1 Part 1 para 8 Child Support Act 1991;

www.dwp.gov.uk/docs/o-0301.pdf

mumtwo3 · 15/03/2013 13:15

Thanks for your response STIDW. This seems really unfair as he is with us for the rest of the 300+ days and she pays absolutly nothing towards him in any way.

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page