Maintenance changes and income related benefits eg I.S/ESA IB,and JSA IB

[onadietcokebreak]

Last time I started a thread about this there were many people who were unhappy about the changes.

The purpose of this thread however is not about the rights or wrongs of the changes but to inform people who may benefit from them.

From 12th April maintenance for children is no longer taking into account on income related benefits Eg Income Support,ESA (income based) and JSA (income based)

Therefore if you have previously had a claim turned down because you were receiving maintenance it may be worthwhile applying again....you can apply now but make sure you make it clear you want to claim because of the changes so your claim is not nilled- alternatively you could claim from 12th April. Call 0800 055 6688 8am - 6pm Monday to Friday.

Any existing claims will be reassessed to reflect this change but if you havent heard by end of April I would give your Income Support section a call in case your claim has been overlooked.

It may be easier...as long as you remember to do it!

Claims here are being held on to for reassesment when the guidance comes in.

However if you want to claim now just answer 12th April when asked what date do you want to claim from...

Can we try and keep this thread in active conversations during busy periods eg lunch time/ evenings etc

bumping!

does anyone know if this is payments from then or for periods from then. i am due the first lot of maintenance in not far off 3 years (still not holding out much hope til i see it!!) it is due on/after 19th april however is for the period of the whole of march and i think a week before but i cant remember anyway, as the period it covers is before 12th april do i have to tell benefits? was hoping not to have to as if id have had money over the last almost 3 years id have been able to keep at least some a week and its not long since my partner got made redundant so would have been entitled to keep it then too!! dont want to do wrong but dont want to get it deducted if i dont have to as its quite a lot hopefully as it should include some arrears as hes not paid for so long!!!

Lump sums of maintenance are treated differently.

It is up to the decision maker to decide if it is income or capital. If its recd 19th it can only be attributed from 19th April for the length of the period ie (5wk)

In short I am saying dont worry. But you still need to tell them

If theres a deductions from earnings order (thought it may be cos of the date you've put) you may not recieve it on the 19th it is due to be paid to the CSA then so could be a efw days later. I usually get mine on the 24th.

If your due any arrears in maintenace contact CSA when you recieve it to find out how much is arrears as its usually just one payment for the arrears and for the standard amount. Then tell IS your standard amount and that you got X amount in arrears. IME they didnt include the arrears to what had to be taken off.

thanks ill hae to find out, if we even get any, not holding out any hope the ex tries eery way possible to avoid paying!! but hey thats another thread!!

Bumping as change takes effect tomorrow

Bump

Is this maintenance up to a certain amount, or for any amount?

Any amount.

Bumping again so that affected people dont miss out.