Change in circumstances (CM)

[justchecking1]

Can anyone help?

My partner is taking an unpaid sabbatical from work (not his choice, there is no other option), and so will receive 0 income for 3 months.

1. At what point does he need to inform the CSA? Is it as soon as he knows the dates or once it actually starts. He will then return to his previous job. The payments are arranged between him and his ex but he has a yearly review with the CM team.

1. Will the CSA reduce his monthly all year payments so the receiving parent gets something each month but less than usual, or will he pay the normal amount for 9 months and then nothing for 3 months?

Before everyone jumps on me, the reason I need to know is so that we can top up his payments out of my salary, but I need to know if I'll be paying a bit every month, or the whole lot for just 3 months, so that I can budget. Thanks

Phone the CMS and ask them. I have found them helpful over the phone. Or send a message on line.

I've been on the phone on hold to them for 20 minutes so I thought it might be quicker to see if anyone here knew!

You’re really kind to top up the CMS payments, I just wanted to say that. Not many would in your position

Anyone?

I am not entirely sure but as his income will technically be 0, I have a feeling for this time his contribution will be calculated at 0 and then return to normal when he returns to work.

I don’t know, but that would be my guess as I am not sure how CMS could expect a monthly amount still knowing his income is 0. We know you are paying it; but most wouldn’t or wouldn’t have someone to do that so I don’t think they will calculate it that way.

I’m pretty sure he just isn’t liable to pay for 3 months if his income is £0.
Then it’ll start up again.
Do you mind me asking why you are paying the ex? You don’t have any legal obligation to (but as I said, it’s very kind of you to offer).
Does your DP not have any savings he could use instead of you having to foot the bill for your SC?

To be honest, all the money comes out of a joint account so not really his and mine. His ex doesn't work (although she could) and is on benefits so I doubt she'll be able to take the hit. She seems to live quite hand to mouth, so doesn't seem fair for the SDC to go without. 3 months isn't too bad. If he became unemployed permanently I'm not sure if I'd do the same, but 3 months is doable

You are very kind OP, your SCs are lucky

You shouldn't be paying his child support.

That's incredibly generous of you OP.

Thank you for all your comments. Does anyone know the actual answer though?! 😂

If he starts claiming benefits then he will need to pay £7 a week in cm. The cms will be informed from the benefits office. If he doesn’t claim benefits then he doesn’t really have to pay anything for those dates he’s not earning any for. However, cms have live data of his income every month so they will calculate what is due the moment it changes more than £100 a week average.

But as it’s only 3 months and he’s not working, instead of not paying for his dc, he could offer to have dsc more nights to make up for it if you don’t want to subsidise him? If his ex does live hand to mouth then even the extra evening meals would save her money and some stress.

If it was my partner, I personally would carry on paying as wouldn’t really want his ex to think we were struggling with payments and offer to have dsc more. you live with joint income and as a family so I guess if the shoe was on the other foot, he would help you out with food and bills and your dc if you have them

Not sure I answered all your questions. I would email them as they will get back to you much quicker. He needs to tell them once it’s actually dropped so they check with their data and then there’s a recalculation that would come into play about 6 weeks after as the ex would need some notice of it dropping. Then when he’s back at work, a new calculation is done and back dated to the start date and payments averaged over the year

I thought on the new system payments were fixed annually? That they’re now tracked to the tax return/P60 so a drop in income will show in next year’ assessment rather than this year? Having said that, I think there might be a caveat that says if there’ an £X percentage change in your income they will adjust?

They won't vary the payments unless they drop by 25%.
Technically over the year this will drop by this. But I don't know if they'll state as its temporary that the next review will take this into account so he continues paying monthly now.

But how would someone continue to pay monthly if their income ceased? Say they became permanently unemployed in the second month of the CSA year, how could they continue to pay for the next 10 months?

He doesn't have to show his P60, they just ask for 3 months wage slips at each annual review. So potentially the loss of income won't show up at all if they ask for any of the 9 months' wage slips

@justchecking1

But how would someone continue to pay monthly if their income ceased? Say they became permanently unemployed in the second month of the CSA year, how could they continue to pay for the next 10 months?

Good question.

I presume that you would simply show the benefit entitlement.

Is your oh claiming for the 3 months?

Hadn't really thought that far ahead. He will if he's eligible

CMS don't ask for wage slips anymore due to being able to get earnings information direct from HMRC.
I believe his income needs to change by at least 25%.
Advise them when the change to his income happens.
If he has a successful benefit claim I think the amount is £7 per week.
Receiving £0 income should mean that for the period he has no income his payment will also be £0. However, if you're going to pay the full amount anyway is it worth telling them about it??
Best thing would be to contact them for correct information. Have you tried the online service? If your DP hasn't set it up, would be worth thinking about.