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Me and my ex had a arrangement for me to pay £50 every 4 weeks for child maintenance. Although this may seam like a small amount for everything it takes to bring a child up, our child (now 4 years old) has a rare condition leaving her unable to eat food like a normal child. All her liquid food is provided by the NHS, along with nappies. So we agreed the £50 from me would be more then adequate for her clothing as she has help with her rent, careers allowance and she has a partner with a full time job, with her benefits and his wages there income is almost 3 times mine
My ex has since been in touch with csa and they are now expecting me to pay more then 3 times that amount we agreed. Living on my own this is a huge hit to my out goings and I'm unsure if I can meet the payments. My ex is unwilling to cooperate and csa won't take what I've told them (about her not needing to provide food for) into account. I'm at stuck and need any advice you can give
Hi and welcome to the forum
I'm afraid I don't have any knowledge to share on this as I haven't come across this scenario before. I would advise trying to speak to the CSA again and if you have no luck with them, try your local CAB or MP to see if they can help at all.
Hopefully one of our other members might have experience of challenging liability.
Please ask if we can help with anything else at all.
Hi,
.
I'm the same as Yoda, not something I've come accross before, I do know that the CSA/CMS don't look at whether the resident parent needs the money though they simply go off your own income, I wouldn't say I agree 100% with this rule as it can leave non resident parents in real financial trouble, while boosting an income of the other parent whether it's needed or not, that said we all have a responsibility to provide for our children, I do think there should be some sort of means testing available though, especially when you think of all the parents that live together one will generally contribute more than the other finacially.
.
GTTS
Hello S.rob79
From what you have written it sounds as though you have case with the Child Maintenance Service. With you having a case with them, you would need to contact them directly to discuss any concerns you have regarding your payments. You will find their details on any letters they have sent you or on Gov.uk at https://www.gov.uk/child-maintenance.
If you do not agree with any decisions the Child Maintenance Service has made, I have included a link on how you can appeal a decision made by them, https://www.gov.uk/child-maintenance/complaints-and-appeals.
Child maintenance is a contribution towards the cost of bringing up a child and this includes not only such items as food and clothing but also it is a contribution towards the home that the child lives in and the associated costs of running that home.
For more information on all the different ways to set up child maintenance and for a more personalised service, you can visit the Child Maintenance Options website at http://www.cmoptions.org.
The DWP have a sorting out separation web-app that you may find useful. It offers help and support to separating and separated families. The link is: www.dad.info/divorce-and-separation/sorting-out-separation.
Regards
William
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