Claiming benefits, giving FOB information

[anna matronic]

Hi girls some of you may know the answer to this.

I haven't had contact with fob since I told him I was pregnant. I have decided at present that I am not going to go through CSA, although I might change my mind. I would rather a private arrangement. but I am also happy to have no contact with him if he doesn't want to see lo.

Anyway, my question is after I have the baby I will be claiming tax credits and probably housing benefit and council tax benefit (just while I am on maternity leave) For these do you have to give fob details regarding maintenance you recieve? And if you don't get maintence do they make you go through CSA?

I know you used to have to when claiming Income Support, but not sure if it is the same for these benefits, or has it changed now maintenece is not taken into account?

I am aware by law he should be paying etc etc, but life isn't always like that and I don't want to be forced into it making a shit situation worse!

 

[LittleMadam]

Hiya,

On the HB/CT form, it will ask about a partner and any additional income you get. As these don't apply to you, you don't fill out any partner info and put additional income as 0.

As for income support, they don't require you to make a claim through the CSA. All they will ask is if you have a partner. As you don't, you will go down as a lone parent and should get the full amount. Child maintenance used to affect the amount of income support you could receive but I've heard this has changed.

Best. xx

 

[billy2mm]

if they do ask about maintenance just say you are making arrangements and leave it at that lol. that could mean yo are doing a private arrangement or going through the csa but we all know that takes a very very long time hehe

 

[JennaSmith]

When i had my daughter me and the children's father split for a while and i had to give his details to make a claim. But when i hadmy son i didnt have to mention him just ticked the no partner box and nothing more was said.
Sorry not much help
xx

 

[bloodbinds]

They don't make you do anything, it's up to you and the FOB if and how much maintenance you get or if you want to go through CSA.

The amount of maintenance you get does not effect any benefits. They may ask how much you get, but you could put you get a million quid a week and you'd still be entitled to the full amount of benefits. So don't worry about that, hope this helps x

 

[anna matronic]

Thanks ladies. Exactly as I thought! Just my sister said something last night about her friends husband having to give his details, I think this was for CSA though! Made me start thinking!

Huge help x x

 

[WhiteGeisha]

Just wanted to say - are you on good terms?

My ex wants a private arrangement re maintenance but I am going to the CSA (if I decide I need money from him) as I wouldn't want him to cancel the standing order everytime we disagreed on something...especially if I came to rely on that money to pay rent etc.

Just a thought x

 

[purpledahlia]

Yep - what bloodblinds said!

 

[scottishgal89]

Agree with the other girls, maintenance doesn't effect anything else and you shouldn't have to give out any of your information.
As one of the other girls asked- are you on good terms?
I now use CSA. FOB promised me money for months and it never happened, it was always..we'll sort it next week.
The CSA put my mind at ease to be honest, I don't need to be in contact with him over it and I don't have to worry about chasing him for payments

 

[anna matronic]

No we aren't talking at all. At the moment I don't plan to claim any money from him either. I know he has a legal responsibility to pay up, but I would rather he had nothing at all to do with us.

 

[scottishgal89]

Well if your not talking and you do decide you would like the child maintenance, I would definately go to the CSA.
If you don't have a civil relationship, he will just mess you around with it and cause you stress you don't need

 

[xdaniellex]

can i just say maintenance does affect your income support if you get more than 20 pound a week. you can get 20 a week and it wont affect, but say you got 30, well they take the extra from your income support. xx

 

[anna matronic]

I'm working so won't be claiming Income Support, was wondering more for tax credits and housing benefit.

Thanks though!! Oh and I thought they disregarded maintenance as income now? Which is why you don't have to give details anymore.

 

[scottishgal89]

They shouldn't ask for details, some do and just have to say yes or no, others ask for a rough sum but as far as I know it is completely disregarded now and no longer effects any benefits. Hope that helps. Good luck