Is CSA1 an exact science? (if so where can I get a copy of the formula) -merged-

A question about : Is CSA1 an exact science? (if so where can I get a copy of the formula) -merged-

I am on CSA1 paying 30% plus 10% arrears for two children. Their mother signs on and AFAIK the children do not receive any money from the CSA. My absence from my children was not of choice, it was imposed.

I am a bus driver and live a miserable existence working long and unsociable hours, no car, travel to work by bicycle etc and completely fed up being perpetually skint and completely worn out.

My girlfriend is expecting our first in May 09 and we want to live together. She is a doctor in a local practice and we agree it would be financially better for us if I moved into her house to care for our child and she returns to work after maternity leave.

This means I will no income of my own and my girlfriend will be the sole income earner. What's the CSA position this arrangement?

Best answers:

• I would guess you would get a nil assessment for the ongoing maintenance but the arrears would not go away and will still be due.
  no doubt someone will be along with an accurate answer.
• You need to be careful. The mother could claim you are delibratley depriving yourself of income.
  It is also worth noting the arrears will not disappear.
• I know about the arrears and they are aren't much. My girlfriend says she will pay them off at Ј10 a week. She doesnt want to pay CSA on her own income for my children from my previous marriage.
• your ex will be getting some of the money you pay - she will then get nothing which is hardly fair as you are the children's father after all. You may find that the CSA take legal action to recover the debt from you if you have no job.
• I was always under the impression if you were on CSA1 the NRPP's wages were taken into the equation. I would definitely look into it more. As for the exisiting children they still need supporting just like the expected child will do. My ex partner quit his job (genuine reasons) but rather than his children go without I took over maintenance payments as I know what it is like on the receiving end. Would you partner be willing to pay for them?
• Im on CSA1 paying 30% for two children and I would prefer to be on CSA2 because the maximum is 20%.
  If I was sacked at work and claimed Jobseekers allowance for 13 weeks or more then started work again. Would the CSA1 assessment close and a new assessment on CSA2 rules be made when I return to work?
• Mothballed, no they cannot force your partner to meet YOUR responsibilities to your child. However you must feel that you have a moral obligation to your first child ?
  This is always an emotive subject, after all in an age of so called equality why should a man not choose to be at home with their newborn.
  Having said that as Kelloggs has stated they may apply legal status to your debt. And more to the point surely you don't want your first child to go without ?
• No, only a PWC can close a case.
• If you are sacked will you get jobseekers need to think very carefully before you do anything rash.
• I'm pretty sure they take half of her wages into consideration, your housing costs and the fact that you have another child as well but under CSA2 they don't take her wages or any tax credis etc you claim into account
• Going back 5 maybe 6 years ago when I was on CSA1 I was told by the CSA that my wages would be taken into account with ny partners CSA case and part of my wages would go to his children. I can only go on what I have been told so if the rules have changed I do apologise
• Yeah i totally agree they should do away with it, it was a joke from start to finish