Hi I currently pay child maintenance for my 2 children, My daughter is 18 and at college full time. Today she starts a job working 30 hours a week in between her college hours. I`ve googled and have read quite a few conflicting posts on whether I will still have to pay maintenance for her, Some saying no as the job is more than 24 hours a week and others saying yes as she is still in full time education and will still be eligible for child benefit. I would be very grateful if anybody could clarify this for me. Thank you in advance.. Jackson...
AFAIK, as long as she is in full time education, then child benefit continues to be paid until age 20, and therefore maintenance is also due.
www.hmrc.gov.uk/childbenefit/keep-up-to-date/when-child-aged-16/child-16.htm
If you follow the link above and the scroll down to the section titled "Child starts work" , second paragraph I think that answers your question.
Hi Jacko
Thanks for your post, I’m William the Child Maintenance Options consultant. You have not mentioned what type of maintenance arrangement you have in place. If you have a family-based arrangement in place it is between you and your children’s mother to decide if maintenance is still payable for your 18 year old daughter. Family-based arrangements are not legally binding, however, they are quick and easy to change if either you or your children’s mother has a change in circumstances.
Under child support legislation, regular child maintenance payments must be made until a child is 16 years old, or 20 if they are in full-time, non-advanced education (A-level or equivalent), or for as long as Child Benefit is being paid. The definition of full-time education is more than 12 hours a week of study, on a course up to and including A level standard. Further information can be found at https://www.gov.uk/when-child-maintenance-payments-stop.
If you have a case with the Child Support Agency (CSA), you will need to contact them directly to enquire when your payments will end. Their contact details can be found on any letter they have sent you, or at www.gov.uk/child-maintenance.
If you have Consent Order you will need to contact the solicitor or court who started the original proceedings to enquire what was written in the order in regards to when your payments stop.
Thanks
William