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Lone parents

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Original poster

Letter confirming maintenance payments

17 replies

MilaV · 21/05/2011 17:56

Hi, I recently claimed benefits and need to provide a letter from XP confirming the maintenance payments. Could you please help me out? I have no idea of what he should write (more likely I will be writing it and he will sign it).

All I can think of is:

"I (name of my XP) hereby confirm that I pay the monthly amout of __ to (my name) towards the maintenance of our child (name of DD)".

Also, he pays it directly into my account, should the letter also mention that?

Should it mention the exact date he sends the payment?

Thanks!

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ChocHobNob · 21/05/2011 18:02

Does he pay via the CSA or is it a private agreement? If the CSA, could you send a copy of the payment schedule? If a private agreement your letter sounds fine.

Why are they wanting details of maintenance anyway? Maintenance is disregarded for benefits purposes.

Original poster

MilaV · 21/05/2011 18:07

Yes, it's a private agreement. We are still (sorta) civilized [eyeroll]

I guess they just want to make sure about my total income. I applied for HB about a month ago, to get some help with the rent now that my ex has moved out.

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ChocHobNob · 21/05/2011 18:09

Maintenance is completely disregarded so it cannot be taken into account for housing benefit, council benefit, income support or JSA. Just in case they try to say it is.

Original poster

MilaV · 21/05/2011 18:24

Thanks for pointing that out. What do you suggest I should do? I really don't want things to be delayed any longer!

Should I say "no, I won't give you this information because x", ask why they need it or just give them the letter?

They have also asked for the following, hopefully you can give me your thoughts:

proof of Child Benefit (that's OK)

self-employed. With this, I also have to send them the bank statements of all my accounts for the last 6 months and proof of any business expenses that I've had for more than 500. (a pain, but OK too)

proof of any other income (I don't have any other regular income, but my family has let me money to survive the last two months, since my XP left, does that count?)

Original tenancy agreement. (I am quite reluctant to mail them the original, in case it gets lost or damaged, so I might as well take it in person and have them photocopied there.)

Proof of rent paid up to date. (Since I pay by standing order, I figure they just need to see my bank's statement from last month? or do you think they need to see every statement since the tenancy started?)

Original statement of the account I want to be paid into. (Here we go, it's as the last point, I don't know how many bank statements they need, but nevermind, I can ask them on Monday)

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ChocHobNob · 21/05/2011 18:31

I'm not too sure on the others, I hope someone can come along and give you advice.

But I do think it would be better to have the maintenance letter as they have asked, just so it doesn't delay anything, but ask for clarification as to why they need it when Maintenance is disregarded.

I do however agree with you about the reluctance to send any originals in the post and would rather take them in person and have them photocopied rather than risking them going missing.

Original poster

MilaV · 21/05/2011 18:42

Thanks a lot, I'll ask them!

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PinkCarBlueCar · 21/05/2011 21:54

Sounds like they're being bloody nosey, tbh. ChocHobNob's spot on - maintenance is disregarded for HB these days.

That said, since you're self-employed, my guess is they want the info so that when they look at your bank statements they can say - oh, that bit's her maintenance - instead of - what's that chunk of money?

Again, since you're self-employed, I'd err on giving more info than necessary if at all possible, as it will take them an age to get to a decision anyway, and even longer if they need to ask further questions.

If your ex is happy to sign such a statement, just do it.

PinkCarBlueCar · 21/05/2011 21:56

oh, yes - don't send originals, that's just asking for them to go missing. Take them and get them photocopied at the office. PITA, but safe.

PinkCarBlueCar · 21/05/2011 22:04

I'm a bit rubbish tonight. Must be the gin.

The payments from your family - make a written statement about that similar to the one about maintenance. Something like "On (this, that & the other) dates I received £x as a gift / loan from my (family member) to help me as a single parent.

Proof of rent up to date - can you get a statement from your landlord to confirm that your rent account is up to date? Alternatively, you could do a statement to say you're happy for them to contact your landlord directly, with a mention that you pay by standing order on (date).

For HB claims, it's usually the last two months worth of bank statements they like to see.

HTH

bringinghomethebacon · 21/05/2011 22:09

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

mamas12 · 22/05/2011 11:17

I remember doing all this parlarva.
I just pointed out on the statements the maintenance going in my bank account, ours was a private arrangement too. Really couldn't face asking ex for a letter!
Really, colour code the statements into maintenance, family contributions over £500, income etc.
Then take in in person and explain it all.
I did and they were alright about it.

gillybean2 · 22/05/2011 12:00

Does your accountant do a set of accounts for your SE income? If so all you need is the last years and an extimate of what your SE is likely to be for the coming year. Once the official accounts or your SATR is completed then you just give them a copy when you have it.

They can't insist on a letter re maintenance because your ex may not be willing to provide it. Tell them you've asked him but aren't sure if he will provide it. Then simply show them on the statement where the money comes in and the amount. Presumably it's pretty regular and for a regular amount and has some kind of reference against it which identifies it?

Money you've received from relatives is a bit more tricky. If they give you cash you must declare it and your maintenance will be reduced. If it's a loan you'll need to show you are paying it back. Far better to get them to buy you specific items rather than give you cash or to pay your bills to avoid this kind of issue.

Original poster

MilaV · 22/05/2011 14:34

Thanks girls... first off, I've only been self-employed since January, and I don't have an accountant. My earnings are quite low, less than 5000 per year I'd say. The council has requested to see the statements of ALL my bank accounts since January... what a pain! My XP hasn't paid me anything yet, he is only starting next month because he needed the money to move out and pay the deposit of his new flat (I agreed because I knew that my family would lend me money and I really wanted him to go away). I hate that it's taking so long, I mean, thankfully I have my relatives who literally saved us, but what happens to people on their own? How do they cope until their claim is approved?

Another thing is that I can't just ask my landlord for a statement saying that payments are up to date... I fear they might be suspicious, and they wouldn't approve. They are a huge agency and very strict in their terms. Can't I just get a receipt from the bank or something similar?

Thanks in advance for all your help, you're making it all a bit more bearable.

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frantic51 · 22/05/2011 14:42

Just a thought but although maintenance is disregarded for normal HB you can get a discretionary top up for 13 weeks if your rent is higher than your normal entitlement. If you are finding it difficult to move, as I am, owing to a reluctance of private landlords to rent to DSS claimants, this can be extended for a further 13 weeks. Maintenance is counted for this discretionary "top up". I've been refused this because my income exceeds my allowable outgoings by £3 per week. Internet is not included in "allowable outgoings" so I am actually short each month now.

gillybean2 · 22/05/2011 15:05

MilaV your family are effectively giving him that money from my point of view...

Your ex has a responsibility to maintain his dc. It is their money, not yours. You should not refuse it or agree to none when you can't afford to feed and house them without it. By taking money from your family instead it's like him giving you what he should and them giving him their money iyswim.

Tell him he needs to start making the payments now and that you have been very generous in delaying it but you can not afford to feed the dc and pay the bills and need the money for the dc.

As I said before, if your family give you cash you will need to declare this and it will be deducted from your benefit money so there is no point in them giving you cash.
A loan which you can prove you are paying back is better if it has to be cash. But giving you items such as clothing, paying for a meal or food is a far better way.

Don't get yourself into financial difficulties because you are being 'kind' ore reasonable to him. The only people you hav eto think about now are your dc and providing for them. Sorry but that's how it is, especially if you can't make ends meet on your current income.

saman43 · 22/05/2011 16:21

Are child maintenance payments definately not counted in all benefits? including jobseekers income based? Only I saw something on the jobseekers website, saying they dont take into account the first £20 per week! note sure if I read it correctly, but its got me concerned.

gillybean2 · 22/05/2011 16:38

It used to be £20, but that changed a while ago now

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