Hi i am a single mummy to a two year old premature boy and it has been a tough 3 years since i split from his father who was violent towards me. I am in reciept of ESA and working with the Tommorrows People currently through the job centre. I recieve child tax credits for my son. The father wants to make maintenance payments of which i will not accept due to not knowing how this will effect the benefits i am in reciept of. The maintenance will pay his half of our joint mortgage and he will make the payment himself. Any advice please.
Hi. I understand what you are saying. However i have read posts online where people have stated that once they have declared it to the Job Centre their benefits have decreased. Therefore im thinking i amy as well just stay as i until i get back to work due to my ex being unreliable & having lost a job one week ago due to binge drinking. He should give me £60 per week based on his income im not sure if he should also contribute to his half of the mortgage too, as we were not married. In an ideal world i like to cut all contact with him because he is nothing but a deadbeat.
Hello missj, you could clarify the Benefits position by emailing our own Benefits expert; you can do so by clicking here
Thank you i wil do.
Hi missj and welcome to One Space. I am sorry to hear that you have been having a tough few years, however it is unsurprising considering your ex has been violent, therefore undermining your confidence and also your little boy coming along prematurely too, that must have been worrying for you.
You will be pleased to hear that any maintenance you receive should not affect your benefits. However you are still expected to declare it to the Job Centre.
Have a look at this Child Maintenance calculator to see if he is offering a reasonable amount (ie what the law would suggest he pays).