CSA damned if i do damned if i dont

[bathtimebabe]

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The problem is that if you co-operate with them, you may lose well over 30% of you income - the level of maintenance they set is so low, that your XP is probably paying much more than that now, and will start to feel hard done by when they tell him he should be paying a fraction of it!

There's a bit on the back of the form which gives you the option of saying that you believe you'd be in danger or something if you gave them his name. You could discuss with him if he would prefer you to do that, or if you want to go along with them.

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CSA will take 15% of your XP's income from him for maintenance (unless he has other children living with him). You unfortunately don't have a choice unless you either want to have your Income Support reduced or lie on the form and say that you would be in danger from your XP if you told them how to get hold of him.

You can however claim a "child maintenance bonus" if you come off Income Support to start work. This means that some of the money your XP has been paying to CSA will be paid to you, but this is only if you leave benefit to apply for a job (think you also need to have been on benefit for 6 months).

If you have an amicable relationship with your XP explain to him that you have no choice but to tell them and if it does work out that he is paying less to them than he was to you then he may offer to pay the rest to you (think you are allowed something like £20 a week before they would reduce your benefit, but you would need to check that one out).

I'm on income support, my xp was unemployed and so didnt pay me anything . Hes now working and happy to pay, but I guess that means I lose my money doesnt it? Bugger!
Does anyone know if I get any money for returning to college? I was just about to start a course then had ds so deffered for a year.. hmm.. any ideas would be great

If you do not tell them the truth you are breaking the law and defrauding the benefit system - you could have to pay the money back if found out or get in even more trouble!!

It is not that the CSA want part of the action - they were set up top make sure absent fathers are financially responsible for their children so as to take some of the onus of the state when it comes to supporting children if they are being looked after by the benefit system.

The problem with that of course, is that in the process, maintenance levels were dropped to sub-benefit levels, whereas previously they were a realistic contribution to the financial cost of bringing up children. The downside was, only a tiny percentage of absent parents actually paid. Now everyone has to pay, but at such a low rate that it is meaningless (my xp is supposed to pay £2.50 per week per child - but that's another story!)

I find the CSA slow to say the least. They are investigated my x's salary and this is now into the 4th month. All I get is excuses after excuses from them. CSA stopped him paying as he now has a large mortgage to pay, a gf who works and they have 2 babies together. So If I worked I would be worse off. I do voluntary work, and keep myself busy at home with my 2 children. The law is all wrong, its so easy for men to move on and start a new life and not provide for their own children. Lets hope the new CSA system comes in quickly for old claims.

I hope it doesn't come in quickly aj121uk as when it does my X will be paying less than he is now. What I need to find out from them is does the maintenance get reviewed each year as X gets a wage rise each year, but I haven't had a penny extra in the 2 years he's had to pay it.

My situation is that Ive made my own arrangement with exp for maintance, like yourselves so when CSA started asking we said we had made our own agreement, and they left things at that. Have you explained your situation to them?

Like Tammybear, my xh and I have made our own arrangements which has worked via direct debit payment for 4 years, but suddenly this month, he can't pay and doesn't know when he will be able to! He has just sold his house so is not short of a few bob.

Last week, a male friend of mine recieved a backdated bill for £24,000 (2 years - for ONE child!!!). They requested £8,000 immediately. This sort of stupid demand in the past has lead to suicide! My friend is fully supporting his g/f and son, financially and emotionally but because she is unemployed....!
He is very upset over it and said that if the bill is correct (!!!), he will have to sell his company to pay it...then join the dole queue himself, mmmm, makes sense eh?

I understand where you are coming from Bathtimebabe. Personally I think I would declare that I would be in danger if they don't listen to reason. Good luck.

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