New rule about Child Maintenance being able to keep the first £20 per week

By Tricia

Tue 18 Nov 2008 08:31

I could not contain the excitement when I opened the letter saying that I as from the end of October 2008 I shall be able to have the first £20 per week of maintenance from the father of my children without it affecting benefits. It was when I read the bit that states that their dad is paying maintenance. First I knew he was! But the thought of an extra £20 per week made me feel like I had won the lottery.

So I contacted the CSA who informed me that because of his circumstances he has been awarded to pay £6.25 per week. Yes, £6.25 per week which is £6.25 per week more than he has ever paid. So to celebrate I put the kettle on and sat for a while thinking how am I going to spend that extra £6.25 then it slowly dawned on me that is not even one hour of his pay per week. He has a trade which I know he won't get out of bed that amount per hour. Then worked it out as there is only another ten months until my youngest is 18 but still in full time education (I am not sure if he is responsible until he leaves full time education or not; will be intresting to find out because he has not shown any responsiblity since the day he dragged me through the courts many years ago.) So at the end of ten months I should of recieved the grand total of approximately £250 now if I put it that way yes it will be of use; it will pay for the road tax for the year for the car (son is only low mobility so don't get any extra help in running the car) and shall pay for the MOT and the rest will help towards the cost of any repairs which the car shall probably need. That way the money has been spent on his son as the car is for his son's needs.

Then my blood goes into boiling point when it slowly dawns on me that us carers have to prove that we are providing 35 hours of care per week to be able to qualify for £50.55 carers allowance and not all carers are entitled to this even if they are providing care for every breathing moment in their lives.......................................................why is it the parent with out care but shows responsiblities towards their children seem to get stung but those who think because they can walk away they seem to get away with it?