Do any of you have step children/pay CSA?

[Marne]

Dh has 3 children with his ex wife, as dh only works 2-3 days a week he pays the minimum amount of CSA. 3 weeks ago his ex wife split with her DH, she contacted the CSA and told them dh was earning more than last time they had contacted him (which is true as dh got a anual pay rise last year only an extra 25p an hour), she's now trying to get as much money out of dh as she can. We are struggling with money as i had to give up work 18 months ago to look after the dd's (both ASD) and dh could not do any extra hours at work. Dh is now worried that the CSA will take some of the beneffits we get for the dd's (apparently they can do this), it seems so unfair that they can take the money we get for the dd's (which we need to feed them and pay for traveling to nursery etc..) to give to his ex wife who has never done a days work in her life.

We are so worried about the future, how are we going to pay the bills etc.

Does anyone else get money taken off of their childrens beniffits to pay for their step children? i really hope dh has got it wrong or we are going to really struggle.

I know they are dh's children and he has to pay for them but we are paying what we can, we buy clothes, shoes etc when they need them, we can't afford to pay anymore , and it makes me so angry that the ex wife is sat at home all day doing nothing when she could get a job (the step children are 10, 15 and 17 so are at school all day) .

Hi, my DH has a child from a former relationship and he has to pay CSA. I also receive DLA/carers allowance for DS1.

Basically, I receive all the benefits into my account and the CSA cannot take them. They did ask DH what I earn (to see if I can pay towards our children) but they didn't ask about any benefits.

My understanding is that DLA and Child benefit are for and in the name of your DDs, not for you or DH -and as such, should not be touched by DH's grasping ex.

I have step son, CSA have never been involved and dp pays over the top anyhow.

They cant touch your DLA.

when we looked into it a couple of years ago when I remarried, the total income inc benefits was looked at, BUT, if you are caring for a child with a disability they disregard some of the money. We pay for clothes, hols etc, but as my dh broke his back and has been unemployed for the last 4 years we havent 'paid' his ex. He is now working so I'm sure thats likely to change imminently!

"Why doesn't your husband work full time if he has FIVE children to support?"

Dh was off work for 2 years with depression ,when he returned to work he could only manage part time, after a while DH decided he wanted to go self employed and stay part time in his job (which he did for a year), due to stress at home and not making enough money self employed he decided to just stick to his part time job. 2 years ago dh had an accedent which left him with a torn cartalage in his leg making work difficult, he has had surgery but this was not succesful. Dh's job involves heavy lifting and he doesn't feel he can do anymore hours (when he gets home he can hardly walk).

I knew i would kind of get this response, i know dh should pay for his children (and he does), but the way the goverment and CS work is terrible and it works out that the more dh works the worse of we are and we can not then support the dd's. I know we have a responsiblity to his children and we do give them pocket money and quite often pay for clothes and school equipment. The ex wife has never worked and plans not to work (if she can help it) but expects us to work all the hours god send so her children are provided for and ours go with out.

Dh now wants to go back as self employed full time which would mean we would pay more CSA if he makes enough money. He wants to provide for his children but it makes us so angry that his ex wife does not want to provide for them by getting a job.

Yes they are his kids (he should provide) but so should she. Why is it ok for her to sit on her ass but its wrong for dh to work part time when he has 5 children to support?

Thank Reality, DH is trying and the step children get the same as what are children get. Hopefully the CSA wont take any of the dd's DLA, we have never not payed CSA and we pay the correct amount for what DH earns. Dh really wants to start his business but the first year or so could see us earning a low income, if the business turns out to be successful then we will be able to support all of the children so much better than we do now and we will be happy to pay more CSA.

At the moment we are struggling to make ends meet, dh feels his job is too much (in the way of lifting etc..) and really can't do any more hours (in that job), other than starting our own business i really don't know what job he could do.