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My son left school in May this year as he is now 16 years old. At present he's looking for employment but is going to college which he started in August. He is currently getting £30 per week EMA money to attend college.
I still pay his mother maintainence money as agreed, which i believe she is not using for the childrens benefit, but when does this stop?
If he is getting EMA from the government, can this be taking into consideration with the CSA and deducted from the payments i am making?
I believe that child benifit stops when they reach 16, but i'm unable to confirm if my ex is still receiving this or indeed contacted the CSA,
1 - to tell them he has left school education, and
2 - if she is still or now not claiming chld benefit.
Can anybody please help me either way.
Thanks
Hi There,
The best thing to do is to call the CSA and just inform them of the change in circumstances, inform them your son is no longer at school and earns a very small wage through a college course and let them do the rest, they will be able to advise what is needed.
What I would say though is that if you are no longer legally liable to pay your sons mother, then why not give some money directly to your sone so he can substitute the low wage he gets from college.
Darren
Hi Ian
Below are a couple of answers previously given by CMO, so are the definitive replies to your questions:
Put very simply, under Child Support legislation you must pay child maintenance for your child if they:
•are under 16 years of age or
•are under 19 years of age and in full time non-advanced education or
•are under 19 years of age and CHB is in payment in respect of them
"Non-advanced" education means "A" level or equivalent.
The CSA will tell you when your payments should stop - until then, I suggest you to keep making your payments in-full and on-time so you don't go into arrears.
I hope this information helps.
and also this
...
Your son's mother is legally required to tell the CSA if and when your son leaves full time education (A'level or equivalent) and/or child benefit is no longer being paid. Once the CSA are informed of these changes, they will tell you when payments can stop.
I don't think that EMA would be relevant as maintenance is calculated purely on what you earn, not on what your ex earns or receives in benefits.
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