Changes to the way Child Support affects Means Tested Benefits

From April 12th 2010, for the first time, child maintenance payments will be fully disregarded when calculating income-related benefits such as Income Support and Income based JSA.

It is already not taken into account for Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit calculations.

The full disregard is hoped to provide a greater incentive to parents to set up child support arrangements and encourage non-resident parents to pay up as all money will go to the children.

This total disregard is a tremendous move forward and one which Scoop Aid has sought for many years.

 WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR LONE PARENTS?

If you are a single parent/parent with care whose claim for income related benefits has been unsuccessful due to you receiving child support. You should make a new claim for Income related benefits on or after April 12th so that your circumstances can be reassessed in the light of this change.

This can be done by contacting your local Job centre.

Any lone parent wishing to discuss this can telephone us on 0114 253 7670 or contact us via e-mail: advice@scoopaid.org.uk