CHILD SUPPORT AGENCY (CSA) HAS HIT A RECORD HIGH

Child maintenance is financial support paid to the parent that has day-to-day care of the child. The fee helps towards a child’s everyday living costs when the parents have separated and applicable for children that are under 16 years of age, or under 20 and in full-time education.

The parent who doesn’t have day-to-day care of the child (the ‘paying parent’) pays child maintenance to the parent or person who does (the ‘receiving parent’).

Child maintenance is often arranged through the Child Support Agency (CSA) who is dealing with a record high number of applications, the Government has claimed.

4 in 5 parents involved with the CSA now pay for their children voluntarily, according to statistics from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). Meanwhile, the number of unwilling parents who have had child support deducted directly from their earnings has fallen by 20% over the last five years.

Work and Pensions Minister Steve Webb said:

“We now live in a society where paying for your children after a break-up is the norm ….Britain is moving from relying on a divisive and unpopular state child maintenance service to parents working together for the sake of their children.”

If you are confused by the latest child support regulations, please call the team at Vines Legal to discuss on 01246 555 610.