[Solved] Would they change my CSA payment.

Child maintenance is worked out on a percentage of salary...they aren't interested in your outgoings or the other parents earnings...just yours.

If you are having the boys overnight you should have been given a reduction on the a,punt you pay. There's a sticky at the top of this section called "how does the CSA calculate payments" have a read through, it might be helpful.

Hi Shoulders

Thanks for your post. I am William the Child Maintenance Options consultant. The Child Support Agency (CSA) works out child maintenance using your weekly income, they do not take into account your outgoings. They take in to account the number of nights your boys stay with you overnight and a reduction is made. You will need to contact the CSA and confirm they have the correct information for you and that are receiving a reduction for having your boy’s overnight.

If you would like to check how much maintenance may be payable, based on how the CSA calculates maintenance, there is a calculator available on our website at http://www.cmoptions.org/en/calculator/, which can provide you with an estimated figure. Some parents use the figure provided as a starting point to negotiate a family-based arrangement.

The CSA is just one option to pay maintenance, if you and your boy’s mum could discuss maintenance together, you may be able to put a family-based arrangement in place. Family-based arrangements are when you and your boy’s mum agree who provides what for them. There are no strict rules or formulas that you have to stick to when agreeing your payment figure. You can include money and other things, for example you providing childcare or things that your boys need. Collaborating together to make and keep a family-based arrangement is better for your boys.

Family-based arrangements are not legally binding. However, they give you the flexibility to change your arrangement as your son gets older and his needs change, or if either you or his father has a change in circumstances.

To help you and your boy’s mum put a family-based arrangement in place we have some tools and guides available to download from our website at http://www.cmoptions.org/en/toolbox/index.asp. You may find our Child Maintenance Decisions guide for paying parents: Information for parents living apart from their child, our Discussions Guide and Taking about money guide useful. These can help you understand your child maintenance choices and help you work out together how much maintenance your boys need.

We also have a family-based arrangement form. You can complete this with your boy’s mum and sign your names to show your commitment to your arrangement. Although this is not a legally enforceable document, it puts the agreement on a more formal basis.

We have a sorting out separation web-app that you may find useful. It offers help and support to separating and separated families. The link is: www.dad.info/divorce-and-separation/sorting-out-separation.

To find out more about how Child Maintenance Options can help you visit cmoptions.org or call us free on 0800 988 0988 between 8am and 8pm Monday to Friday or 9am and 4pm on Saturday.

Thanks
William