Child maintenance

[Bluebells84]

I’m wondering if anyone has experience of claiming child maintenance from an ex who is on universal credit?

Yes me my ex has been on benefits for 10 years what is it you would like to know?

I’m curious to know how it works, I read somewhere that it’s automatically deducted from their benefits and is a flat rate for £7 per week, is that right? And also, if it’s deducted, is it paid directly to you? Does the flat rate differ if they have the kids to stay at all?

Sorry for the many questions!

it should be but if they owe any debts or anything then they will not take the payment and you don’t receive anything until they’ve cleared their debt (currently in that situation and ex doesn’t have to pay as his debts take priority) otherwise yes taken from their benefits and you will get it paid monthly. If they stay with the NRP more than 52 nights a year they don’t have to pay anything if on UC.

What a fab system! So they could stay just two nights a fortnight and contribute absolutely nothing towards any day to day expenses for them. Or other debts are more important than providing anything for their offspring. Seriously, that’s just ridiculous.

Thank you though, I hope you see a few pennies at some point, although that seems unlikely, unfortunately!