Child Maintenance and Benefits

Hi Guys

I am getting conflicting information from people so I am hoping people here can help me.

my stbxw is on benefits - She is not working - so she gets rent, council tax etc paid for. I am assuming that as well as her child benefit she gets income support. The child maintenance I pay to her; does she have to declare this to the HMRC? if so does that reduce her income from them?

Thanks

she should notify them, yes. But it will have no affect on her benefits or Tax Credits.

I think, but am not totally sure, that she can receive the full amount of child maintenance and it won't affect her benefits (ie reduce it). I know for certain that she can receive £20 pw and it not affect her benefits, but do remember something somewhere about it changing so that those on benefits could receive the full amount of maintenance and it not affect benefits, but whether that's the case or it's yet to come in, I'm not sure.

I believe that she would still have to declare it however.

it came in in April 2010 so the children will receive the full benefit of the child maintenance money you give. There is still a lot of confusion over this issue - my solicitor didn't have a clue about it a few months ago!

yes I just found this on teh direct gov website


Child maintenance and benefits

Since October 2008, all parents have been able to choose how to arrange child maintenance, even if they're on benefits.

Also, since April 2010 parents with care can keep all child maintenance paid to them and this should no longer affect their income-related benefits.

I don't mean to insult anyone on here (so i apologise if you are offended), but in my case it appears the good person (who works, did not initiate the seperation, was a good husband and father) is the one being victimised and being made to find money that is not there, when others can stay at home and not bother about a job, and potenitally have more income coming in than me, but with less out goings!!!!!

Sorry Rant over.

Matt

Matt, I'm sure a lot of people would agree. It means that, theoretically, maintenance could be awarded at £50pw, and that is received on top of benefits - housing benefit, council tax benefit, income support/JSA, child benefit and child tax credits giving that person more disposable income than the person paying the maintenance! I know for my hubby's ex, it meant she had, as disposable income, every week, nearly £200 in her hand. All she had to pay out of that was utilities and food as she also had free school dinners. Nice eh! Our application for maintenance (when it finally gets sorted out) will be £5pw! Whoopee do!!

Depending on the age of the children she may well have to start looking for a job and claim Jobseekers Allowance or else face losing her benefits.