A mother has questioned if her son must pay child maintenance to his ex-partner if he is on benefits.
The woman said her son received a letter from the Child Maintenance Service asking him to pay towards the costs of raising his daughter.
But she insisted he had been ‘contributing since birth’ and questioned if he needed to comply with the demand.
On Facebook, the post read: “A little help please. My son is on benefits, he has been contributing to his 7 year old daughter since birth.
“He’s now has been sent a letter from the child maintenance. Asking for payments.
“I will highlight this now it’s not about him not paying, there’s a much bigger reason.
“Question is if he’s on benefits, does he need to pay child maintenance to the mother.”
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Fellow Facebook users commented on the post, with one saying: “Yes he does.
“If solely on benefits, child maintenance will be about £7 per week.
“If working as well, then it’ll be a percentage of his earnings.”
Another said: “Yes, he needs to pay for his child even if on benefits.”
While a third added: “If he is already contributing you can send bank statements and such to prove you have been, but yes legally he will have to pay a certain amount, even on benefits.
“Usually about £31 a month on benefits and more if working.”
Another commented: “The child still needs to be fed, clothed and watered whether he’s on benefits or not.
“Who do you expect to pay for him/her if not the parents?”
Gov.uk says: “Child maintenance covers how your child’s living costs will be paid when one of the parents does not live with the child.
“It’s made when you’ve separated from the other parent or if you’ve never been in a relationship.
“This is a financial arrangement between you and the other parent of your child.
“Making arrangements to see your child happens separately.
“You must have a child maintenance arrangement if your child is under 16 (or under 20 if they are in approved education or training).
“Both parents are responsible for the costs of raising their children, even if they do not see them.”
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