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Hi, First post on here so please be gentle!!!
I currently have a private arrangement (policed by the CSA) with my ex-partner, regarding Child Maintenance Payments. Basically….I pay her a percentage of my wages worked out by the CSA, and then I pay regular payments through a standing order that I set up and the money goes straight into my ex-partner bank account.
My question is...Is my ex-partner entitled to claim Child Benefit for our only child, when I pay her maintenance money?
Also, I was reading an interesting article on the BBC website, regarding child benefit changes ( http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-17854937) I have copied and pasted the question I also wanted answering, and for someone to explain if I can claim child benifit, under these changes. Please see below.
Thank You.
So who claims child benefit if a couple has split up?
Both parents might try to claim, even if they live apart, but only one of them will get it.
If somebody is responsible for a child, they normally get the benefit for it. So, usually, the parent with whom the child lives receives the benefit.
However, the other parent can get child benefit even if their child does not live with them.
This only happens when: they pay towards their upkeep; what they pay is at least the same as the amount of child benefit - so they do not profit; and the person the child lives with is not already receiving child benefit.
Yes your ex is entitled to child benefit as well as the maintenance payments.
I think the article on the BBC website that you refer to is based on the changes for parents that earn above £50,000p.a.
If your child lives with you more than 50% of the time you would then be entitled to claim the child benefit. If your child stays overnight with you then a reduction of the maintenance should be made. For every night your child stays with you a reduction of 1/7th is made per weekly amount.
There is a sticky at the top of this section called "how does the CSA calculate payments" this links to a CSA leaflet that you may find useful.
Hello Maxleco,
My name is William, a Child Maintenance Options consultant. As Nannyjane mentioned a person who is claiming Child Benefit is entitled to child maintenance at the same time.
It sounds from your post that you may have a 'Direct Pay' arrangement in place. 'Direct Pay' is where the CSA calculates child maintenance but both parents agree how payments will be made. Once they have calculated the maintenance amount, the CSA will not contact either parent again unless someone's circumstances change or if they are told that you have missed or fallen behind with your payments.
Child maintenance is generally paid to the parent who has the main day-to-day care of a child. This is also generally the parent that claims Child Benefit.
If you would like to know more about claiming Child Benefit and who is entitled to claim it, you may wish to speak to HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC). You can find their details and more information on the following link https://www.gov.uk/child-benefit.
To find out more about how Child Maintenance Options can help you visit http://www.cmoptions.org or call us for a free and confidential chat on 0800 988 0988 between 8am and 8pm Monday to Friday or 9am and 4pm on Saturday.
Thank you for your post.
William
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