£1 per week

[TensionWheelsCoolHeels]

How on earth can anyone justify £1 per week in maintenance? £1 per week? That's what we'll be getting for 40 weeks according to CSA. We used to get £5 + £1 arrears which almost paid for school meals but £1 per week? It doesn't even pay DD's £2 pocket money.

Why so little?

No idea. He's been unemployed over a year, had a brief spell (5wks) working but now unemployed again. I don't get how they've worked it out but we are getting £1 per week for 40 weeks. It's just laughable it really is.

I can only think that he's either no longer entitled to any benefits(?) or that he has other children he has to pay CM for?

I would give them a call and question it.

I should be greatful for my £5 a week I guess

It always makes me wonder where the people that work these calculations live. What the hell can you get a child for £5 nevermind £1

As in food, rent, bills clothing, dinner money the list is endless. The amount they come up with doesn't even make a dent does it.

My ex is self employed and I have had 7 years of a zero payment. He has a lovely town house and has just bought new caravan for holidays so nothing shocks me with the CSA.

Its a bit like that monty python sketch of competitive misery I'll raise you £0 and throw in some general feckless parenting... Christ it's shit isn't it? How much worse can it get though eh? I think this has got to be the lowest it'll get for us so the only way is up. The best bit? - the CSA asking me to come to a private agreement with my ex. Yup, just what I'd love to do - haggle over 83p for 5 weeks, then negotiate the increase to a whole £1 and how to arrange payment for the next 40 weeks. I can't even be arsed to phone them about how it should be £5 min if he's getting JSA again.

Tell him to shove it up his arse