Ex to pay more Maintenance

[JalapenoSlices]

Is there a way I can get my ex to pay more maintenance? He is unemployed and everyone said to keep the claim open as he would be forced to work one day but it’s 8 years later and he is still only paying £7 per week for our children. Is there anything I can do? I thought people weren’t allowed to just sit on benefits for years. Has anyone been in this situation?

Money tree?

Are you sure he’s not taking jobs on the side in cash?

No unfortunately.

I sympathise because my exh doesn’t pay anything either. Keeping the claim open won’t have any effect on him having to work or not, it doesn’t make any difference. It’s a shame there isn’t a system in place to pay a nominal amount and for it to come out of their pension (with the option to pay it back). That might help focus their minds into working 🙄

Why is he on benefits?

If he's a Jobseeker then UC should be on his case.

On the other hand any pretence of reviewing payment for ill health ended during and after the pandemic.

Ending legacy benefits and moving people to UC very explicitly assures claimants of ESA that health assessments are not reviewed.

I wouldn’t know if he was doing anything on the side and even if he was I wouldn’t have any proof and I don’t think they’d just take someone’s word for it 😔

im not sure why he’s on benefits I don’t know the details of his claim just that he isn’t working is all they can tell me.

if he’s still on benefits and never worked
I suspect that he’s claiming much more than just unemployment benefit

does he live with anyone? Have other children?

Lives alone and no other children

Does he ever see the children?

I agree that child maintenance arrears should be paid by the government and docked from deadbeat parents’ future state pensions. Why should they get away with it?

Also suspend driving licenses and any trade/professional licenses. They shouldn’t get to lead normal lives.

No he's had no contact in nearly 3 years