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Hey,
I have being constantly hounded by the CSA since i started my business 5 weeks ago about my income. They have requested my financial records for the business during that period and my household income including any benefits i or anyone in my household claim. My partner is a full time carer to 2 disabled children so her income significantly improves our household finances. She claims child benefit, child tax credits and disability living allowance for the children in our household. But claims nothing for herself. Why do CSA need to know this information? Why should my current partner have to pay towards a child not biologically connected to her? Why should CSA take into consideration money that belongs to the children in the household? Does not seem fair that the children i live with have to lose out so my ex can get a little extra cash (which i do not begrudge paying but do mind where it comes from). Any help?
I know tax credits are taken into account, but I'm not sure about the rest and there may be special rules due to your step children having disabilities. In addition, there will be a 20% discount in your takehome pay allowed because of the fact that you have 2 children to support.
I'll ask the CMO if they are able to comment on the other benefits.
I'm Sarah the Child Maintenance Options consultant. When the Child Support Agency (CSA) calculates maintenance, they take into account any other children that you are financially responsible for. They also take in to account any Child/Working Tax Credits that the non-resident parent, or their new partner, may receive. This is because it's classed as a household income. The only time Working Tax Credits wouldn't be calculated is if the non-resident parent's partner is the main earner. However, Child Tax Credit payments are always taken into account. Perhaps you could think about making a family-based arrangement with the parent with care? With a family-based arrangement, you can agree between you how much child maintenance needs to be paid. Most parents are happier with these because they are more flexible and amicable.
If you would like to contact the CSA to discuss how child maintenance is calculated you can find contact details on any letter the CSA have sent to you. Or, you can find the right number here: https://www2.dwp.gov.uk/csa/v2/en/contact/index.asp
For more information about child maintenance and access to useful tools and forms online you can visit www.cmoptions.org, or if you'd prefer a confidential chat you could call the Child Maintenance Options team on 0800 988 0988 (free from a landline).
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