Oh thats awful Gives mothers a bad name Definitely get a DNA test done just in case this is a sick wind up

Did you inform them of a change in working hours as soon as it occured? If not they will assume you are working the hours you said you did when the case was set up and take the amount as normal.

Companies House? I really wouldn't know where to start

I have to admit I've been thinking about this one since replying and was going to come back and say I think legal advice might be a good option to consider. Definitely think you need the DNA tests tho. Keep us updated with what happens please

Hmm tricky one. Firstly I'm not sure if by being on the birth certificate your ex husband has parental responsibility for the 19 year old even tho he is not the biological dad. Secondly your husband is perfectly entitled to ask for a DNA test if there is any doubt over who the father of the 16 year old is. I must admit tho I don't get why she is saying he isn't your husbands child but then trying to claim CSA for him off your husband. Thirdly CSA is payable as long as child benefit is being received for the children in question. Unless they are both at college then I doubt she would be getting it for the 19 year old. The 16 year old might not be in full time education as such but as long as he is doing a certain number of hours in college then it counts. Finally I believe CSA can be back dated to the date the claim was opened so bearing that in mind I suggest you fully co-operate with them and get the ball rolling on a DNA test

Just ignore the debt collector. Don't enter into 'letter tennis' with them. HMRC debts cannot be statute barred so if you really feel you must send a letter to the debt collector then send a one liner saying the debt is in serious dispute and collections activity must cease. Then send a SAR request (template in the CAG library) to HMRC, it'll cost you £10 but you'll get all paperwork regarding your tax credits. Then you'll have to sift through it to find anything relevant to the dispute. Unfortunately I don't know if the SAR will include phone records

You will need to speak to someone on Monday morning. In the meantime have a good look for the receipt you got when you took the last lot of payslips in.

I appreciate its not ideal. Could your daughter not stay overnight with you or will that have to wait until she is older? Or maybe your ex is trying to politely hint she doesn't want you to stay overnight anymore?

I would say its dodgy ground. Could you not just visit in the day time or meet in a place thats halfway between houses? I appreciate you want to spend time with your daughter but surely you would rather see her a little less often but know her mum is able to take care of her by receiving everything she is entitled too and it not be suspended because someone has reported you?

Would Companies House help? Or maybe go to the accountant?

The kids have about £600 between them. Their accounts are linked to my current account so I'm not sure if the DWP will count them or not. Either way its well under £6K. Thank you for replying

Was after some advice on savings. I'm a single mum to two children and I live with them but no partner. I claim Income Support as a Carer, Carer's Allowance, Housing Benefit, Council Tax Support, Child Benefit and Child Tax Credits. Both children receive DLA - Middle Rate Care and one gets Lower Rate Mobility. I also get CSA from the kids dad. I had a phone call from the DWP last week, they wanted to check the information they had for me was correct. Lasted about 15-20 minutes and they asked a lot of questions about who lives with me and what we claim etc. The only question I couldn't answer was how much I had in my bank account as I hadn't checked it that day and wouldn't have liked to have guessed. Got a letter a few days later saying based on the information I gave the amount of benefit I get won't change. Today I've had a letter saying I have to send in bank statements for me and my children I do have some savings in a seperate account. About £1000. Obviously I will send in bank statements for that account as well as my current account and the kids savings accounts. I have nothing to hide but will having that amount affect my benefit? Edited to say I have always phoned the DWP with any changes to what myself or the kids receive

Have you seen proof of that?

I didn't judge. I can fully understand why you do not want to pay BUT I don't think the CSA will be so understanding. They tend to see things in black and white and not shades of grey. Can you disown a child through the Courts? That might be the only way forward so I would consult a Solicitor

But they might not have disclosed your earnings. Just because he says they have doesn't mean its the 100% truth. If he's good with a calculator then post #5 in this thread tells you how to work it out

None. Disowned or not you are his parent and you contribute towards his upkeep

CSA have never told me how much my ex husband earns, I don't think they are allowed too. I would be extremely cross if in your position but wouldn't be sure on what action to take. Am sure someone will be along soon with some better advice

Don't sign off today. Until your appeal has been won (good luck) there will be no change in your circumstances and if you sign off you will not receive any money from JSA or ESA

Take a photograph for evidence.

Hmm you'd think they'd deduct the overpayment from the arrears payment and pay you the remaining balance. I think you are just going to have to keep contacting them until they pay up

How much is the arrears payment and how much is the over payment? Did the letter about the overpayment say when they would claim it back?

There are massive massive backlogs. You need to kick up a fuss, keep calling, get your local MP involved etc etc.

I'm sorry but this is way out of my knowledge of the CSA. All I can suggest is you find a good solicitor if you haven't already done so

I didn't disagree that saving for your kids future was a dumb thing to do. I think its quite admirable because many absent parents out there refuse to contribute at all. What I disagreed with was having to provide receipts for what I spend my CSA money on. Every penny of my CSA benefits my children in some way whether its a trip out, a new toy or paying the gas bill. I don't ask my ex husband how he spends his wages, I don't see why he should see how I spend mine

I quite agree