2 CSA myths, can someone clarify please?

[tendom]

Hi

 

I'd like to know -

 

1. Is it true that if the payments are made directly to CSA that the parent doesn't actually receive all of the money?

 

2. If a couple live together and the non-resident partner does not have an income, is the CSA allowed to charge the working partner even though he/she is not a parent to the child?

 

Thanks in advance.

[S&C]

Re question 1 - the resident parent will get all the money the CSA collects so long as they're not on benefits, then they'll only get £10 per week and the CSA will keep the rest.

 

Question 2 - so far as I know the maintenance is based on the non-resident parents income, not the household but I'm not certain.

[ShortlyTdwarf]

Re question 1 - the resident parent will get all the money the CSA collects so long as they're not on benefits, then they'll only get £10 per week and the CSA will keep the rest.

 

Question 2 - so far as I know the maintenance is based on the non-resident parents income, not the household but I'm not certain.

 

Almost right, but not quite.

 

1 The resident parent will get all the money unless they are on benefits. In that case everything after the first £10 of the CSA payment is classed as Income for the assessment of benefit and your benefit is reduced by this amount. So you do actually get it all, but you get less benefit. it's not kept by the CSA.

 

2 The only income taken into account for CSA payments is that of the non-resident parent. On this you are right.

[tendom]

thanks guys;)

[Jesteruk]

Just to advise you on query 2,

 

The "non-resident" parents partners income IS NOT taken into consideration

 

BUT

 

If they recieve Working tax or Childrens Tax credits then that will be taken into account as ive just found out

[tendom]

So that means the tax credits meant for the non -resident parents' own child will be deducted for the benefit of a step-child?

[Jesteruk]

Lets make it easier i think to understand:

 

the following is taken into account when decided amount to pay:

 

Your income & NOT your partners

Any benefit for CTC & Work tax you or your partner recieves.

any other benefit such as child benefit , disability benefit IS NOT taken into account

 

hope this makes it easier to understand

[reallymadwoman]

Almost right, but not quite.

 

1 The resident parent will get all the money unless they are on benefits. In that case everything after the first £10 of the CSA payment is classed as Income for the assessment of benefit and your benefit is reduced by this amount. So you do actually get it all, but you get less benefit. it's not kept by the CSA.

 

 

Not if the non-resident parent has a highish income (over about £50,000 and working abroad so tax free). In a case I know about, what the resident parent received in benefits, including child tax credits, was about £20 a week less than the non-resident parent was paying. The CSA 'allegedly' paid all the money to the DWP. So who got the extra £20? Of course if they'd known in advance, the RP would never have claimed benefits, but once you're in the system it's too late.