New vs Old CSA

No matter what I read or who I call, I get conficting information.

Who falls under new CSA rules?

Who falls under old?

What is the process for a variation?

Anyone who knows, or has recently been through this- your advice would be welcomed

By new and old which schemes are you referring to?

Most people think of the 1993 Scheme as "old" the 2003 scheme as "new" and now there is the gross income scheme.

New application where there are two or more children will now fall under the "new" CMS scheme, but it is the child maintenance Service, not the Child Support Agency that will administer the new scheme. Applications where there are only one child will fall under the "old" CSA 2 (2003) scheme - although ALL cases will eventually be moved to the CMS scheme eventually.

I don''t have any information about variations other than that re-assessments will only occur if income changes by 25% or more (either up or down). There will be an annual assessment as standard. Assessment is based on the liable parent’s gross annual income from the last completed tax year. This information will be obtained from HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC). The flat rate for those with an income under £100 per week is £7. The CSA flat rate will remain £5. There are new levels of payment which depend on the number of eligible and other children and the number of nights per week they stay with the non-resident parent. Students will no longer be exempt from child support. Where parents can show that care is shared equally it will no longer be necessary for a payment to be made.

Thanks Ruby, next question.
I am now contracting (self-employed) and have been for some time.

My income has dropped by over 1/3 and I just cant continue with the high payments monthly.

What do I need to do? how do I prove this as the end of the tax year is quite some time away?

Remind me (cos I''m old and my memory is failing) - are you currently using the CSA for CM?

RubyTuesday will correct me if I''m wrong - but I think I remember reading the ''New new'' system means if parents use the service the payer will also pay a fee.

Are you planning to use the service or just use their calculations to adjust the amount you pay?

No- we had a private agreement made at FDR 16 months ago when consent was signed and sealed.

I cant talk sense to her, nor does she believe that my salary has dropped. I figure I may as well go down the CSA/ CMO route and then she has all of it officially drawn up and can stop with all her threats of more court.

I just need to know what type of information they need, or if they will just go on the salary I give them and allow for proof in April