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My son recently turned 18 and left school at 16 to join a course where he would work 4 days a week and attend collage to do an NVQ once a week, He didn't last on the course very long and started doing some on-off work.
I contacted the CSA and told them this and was told that his mother was still claiming Child benefit and they had him registered as in education. I was told by the very unhelpful lady at the csa that it is not their responsibility to chase for the info and I would need to report my son and his mother for falsely claiming benefits.
Surely this can't be correct? I have a good relationship with my son and support him financially outside of the payments I give his mother so don't see why I should continue to pay her.
I'm going to call them again and hopefully get someone more helpful but any advice would be great.
Hi
I am afraid the CSA are correct - you continue to pay maintenance while your ex is claiming child benefit, the fault is strictly with your ex, and not the CSA, as she is claiming fraudulently. You could suggest to your ex that she stops claiming benefits otherwise you might consider reporting her.
Hi Noir
Thank you for your post, I am William the Child Maintenance Options consultant. I can see from your post that you have a case with the Child Support Agency (CSA). You have mentioned that you contacted them regarding your case, as your son was no longer in full-time education.
At Child Maintenance Options we are unable to provide you with information regarding your case as we are a separate organisation to the CSA. The following link has information regarding who is responsible to inform the CSA of any change in circumstances, which you may find useful https://www.gov.uk/child-maintenance/changes-you-need-to-report.
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.
Education must be full-time (more than an average of 12 hours’ supervised study a week during term time) and ‘non-advanced’. This includes:
GCSEs
A levels
iGCSEs
Pre-U
International Baccalaureate
NVQ/SVQ level 1, 2 or 3
BTEC National Diploma, National Certificate and First Diploma
SCE higher grade or similar
It does not include ‘advanced’ education, eg:
a degree
Diploma of Higher Education
NVQ level 4 or above
BTEC Higher National Certificate (HNC)
teacher training
We do not have access to any details that the CSA holds about you or your case, so you will need to contact them directly to discuss your concerns. Their contact details can be found on any letter they have sent you, or this website http://www.gov.uk/child-support-agency provides their contact details.
To find out more about how Child Maintenance Options can help you visit http://www.cmoptions.org or call us free on 0800 988 0988 between 8am and 8pm Monday to Friday or 9am and 4pm on Saturday. We also have some other useful tools on our website.
William
So this debarcle has moved on a little. After constant chasing I was told the start of the month by a CSA advisor that the child benifit department have confirmed that payment is no longer being made to my ex and as such my case can be closed and a letter will be sent to my employer to stop the deduction of earnings and to me to confirm, investigation will continue into getting my money back I have paid incorrectly for over 13 months. Joy I think (but no CSA screw me over again)
Called again as payment come out of my salary and no letter received to be told. Still under investigation, must continue to pay and no my account isn't closes. Jesus Christ what can I do!!!
Get your MP involved ASAP ....they will assist you and can reach the part that we mere mortals cannot!
...and can reach the part that we mere mortals cannot!
😀 😀 but Nannyjane is correct, so do it asap.
- Samaritans – call 116 123
- Shout – text the word ‘Shout’ to 85258
