Do Child Maintenance Payments Affect DA Payments

jimbobjoe71

I send my partner child maintenance payments every month. She now wants them paid via Revolut in case they affect her DA review. I would have thought that as they're for the children and not her that it wouldn't be counted against her. Never married, two children. Can pay via Revolut it's no hassle, just curious if she's being paranoid or if she's correct.

pl4ichjgy17zwd

Yes, maintenance is accessible against DA. You can see how it's worked out here

jimbobjoe71

Thanks. I would have thought only spousal maintenance would count. I'll continue paying to her normal bank account so. I was a bit iffy about sending via Revolut anyway in case we end up in court over access or anthing. Cheers.

lughildanach

Maintenance is assessed, but you can offset accommodation costs (up to 95.23/week). So, as long as your maintenance is below accommodation costs, and below 95.23/week, then it won't affect your payment.

The other thing that catches some people out is that payments towards rent by the other parent can also count as maintenance. They can also try to assess other things like creche costs or other contributions made towards the child's welfare, although this can be challenged.

jimbobjoe71

lughildanach wrote: »

Maintenance is assessed, but you can offset accommodation costs (up to 95.23/week). So, as long as your maintenance is below accommodation costs, and below 95.23/week, then it won't affect your payment.

The other thing that catches some people out is that payments towards rent by the other parent can also count as maintenance. They can also try to assess other things like creche costs or other contributions made towards the child's welfare, although this can be challenged.

Thanks. She has no rent/mortgage costs. So it would just be household bills. €1k a month in child maintenance. I'll just keep paying the way I'm paying and let her work it out herself. Thanks.

splinter65

jimbobjoe71 wrote: »

Thanks. She has no rent/mortgage costs. So it would just be household bills. €1k a month in child maintenance. I'll just keep paying the way I'm paying and let her work it out herself. Thanks.

Declaring that maintenance would reduce her DA from €275 ( I’m assuming she doesn’t work outside the home and that both your kids are under 12) to €150. That’s a saving of €125 to the taxpayer.

Meeoow

Can she claim DA while residing in Slovakia?

splinter65

Meeoow wrote: »

Can she claim DA while residing in Slovakia?

No absolutely not. Just another greedy thief. OP you may not realise that if the mother of your children is in Slovakia that she shouldn’t be getting the DA. Totally illegal and it’s your duty to report it. She can apply for DA there. The child benefit is fine.

jimbobjoe71

splinter65 wrote: »

No absolutely not. Just another greedy thief. OP you may not realise that if the mother of your children is in Slovakia that she shouldn’t be getting the DA. Totally illegal and it’s your duty to report it. She can apply for DA there. The child benefit is fine.

To be honest I had no idea she was on it until she mentioned about the Revolut. Also to clarify not sure if it's DA or Illness Benefit that she's on, she would have the required stamps for Illness Benefit if they're different things. In a bit of a tricky spot as if it might be too coincidental if she was to ask me that and then suddenly be investigated. Though I did say it to my brother who can't stand her so he probably already has.

wifey28

jimbobjoe71 wrote: »

To be honest I had no idea she was on it until she mentioned about the Revolut. Also to clarify not sure if it's DA or Illness Benefit that she's on, she would have the required stamps for Illness Benefit if they're different things. In a bit of a tricky spot as if it might be too coincidental if she was to ask me that and then suddenly be investigated. Though I did say it to my brother who can't stand her so he probably already has.

She no longer lives in the state, so she is not entitled to claim social welfare here.
So she should be reported

lughildanach

jimbobjoe71 wrote: »

To be honest I had no idea she was on it until she mentioned about the Revolut. Also to clarify not sure if it's DA or Illness Benefit that she's on, she would have the required stamps for Illness Benefit if they're different things. In a bit of a tricky spot as if it might be too coincidental if she was to ask me that and then suddenly be investigated. Though I did say it to my brother who can't stand her so he probably already has.

If it is Illness Benefit, then the maintenance does not affect it at all, and she would be permitted to receive this in any EU state for a maximum of 2 years (or indefinitely if she started to receive it before 2009). Same goes with Invalidity Pension, it is not means tested and can be received outside of the State. If she is on Illness Benefit, she may also be entitled to retain her Child Benefit, depending on whether her previous employment is open to her.

Disability Allowance cannot be claimed outside of the State.