CSA question

[bitsnbobs]

I have now been a lone parent now for 2 weeks and really need some advice.
I have applied for income support (at the mo I work weekends) which hasn't materialised yet. I was under the impression that if I applied for child maintenance I would recieve this too but have read through the leaflet I was given and it says that I only get £10 per week as the child maintenance goes towards my income suppport.
Is this right? Am I better off getting ex to pay me direct and telling CSA to forget my claim? They haven't even contacted him yet but I don't know if its too late.

Any advice appreciated

if you are on Income Support you have to co operate with the CSA and yes, you only get to keep £10. If you have already given his details then you can't withdraw your claim, I don't think, without them reducing your income support.

you are better off applying for IS cause if anytime you ex doesnt pay you then you will be short of money, whereas IS is weekly money which you know you will get, it also is a passport to other benefits like housing benefit, council tax benefit, free school meals etc, your ex still has to pay maintenance but that will go back to the government and you will get £10 per week.

you have to declare what money you get to income support if they find out he is paying you x amount of money a week then they will take it off your income support.As for cancelling the claim i dont think you csn, but if you want to ring them and make sure then it wont do any harm....you will have to have a good explanation for not wanting them to chase him though

Thanks for your advice

Wish I had never got involved with the CSA now!
At least I will get the IS though. Was also wondering if it is more economical to go to work over 16hrs and get WTC instead of IS or would I be worse of financially?