Maintenance and free school meals

[Nunny9]

My ex wife and I have been separated for 3 years and lived apart for over 2 years. I continue to pay the mortgage for the family house and some other additional costs for the children. These amount to more than I would pay using the Govt maintenance calculator.

My ex is working PT and is claiming some top up benefits and is claiming free school meals for the children.

My concern is that she is not declaring the money I pay (so she has no housing costs, other than bills). Other child related costs I pay directly ie clubs/uniforms etc

I'm worried she may be claiming money she isn't due and what would happen if she was 'found out' - or are the payments I make irrelevant to how her benefit entitlement is calculated?

The calculator does not take into account you paying the mortgage at all so it is only money given directly to the other parent for the purpose of child support nothing else counts so if your paying the mortgage on a shared property as a kind of offset for child support be glad your not in America under there system you would be racking up arrears

I'm not going to be as harsh as other posters as you could genuinely be concerned but maintenance doesnt usually count. You were a bit silly to ask the nest of vipers

I must admit I hadn't quite expected the level of vitriol I have seen in some of the replies. It has really taken me aback.

Thanks to those that have been kind enough to take the time to give a factual response to a straightforward question.

Whether you believe it or not I was purely enquiring to ensure no one was going to get into trouble. The assumptions some respondents make and the rude name calling is beyond belief.

@DiamondBright

It isn't taken into account, or really any of your business.

Just this.

@Nunny9

I must admit I hadn't quite expected the level of vitriol I have seen in some of the replies. It has really taken me aback.

Thanks to those that have been kind enough to take the time to give a factual response to a straightforward question.

Whether you believe it or not I was purely enquiring to ensure no one was going to get into trouble. The assumptions some respondents make and the rude name calling is beyond belief.

Except its really easy to Google so you don't come across genuine faux innocence is a red rag to a bull

I don't think anyone is going to buy the poor me routine, why did you need to include do much detail in the OP if it was just a genuine concern?

"Do maintenance payments and payments in lieu of maintenance (for example mortgage payments) count against benefits?" Would have got a completely different response.

Alternatively you could have googled it.