Does the £10 disregard in respect of child mantenance payments, under paragraph 73 of Schedule 9 of the Income Support regs only apply to maintenance payments which are made through the CSA?

Is it possible to argue that it should apply to a private arrangement between the lone parent and the absent father where there is no formal agreement, but he is paying her £20 per week?

Please advise.

Masoud

Child maintenance payments are defined in Reg 2(a) of the Social Security Benefits (Maintenance Payments and Consquential Amendments) Regs 1996 and includes payments uder a court order or voluntary payments.

To get a decision maker to accept voluntary payments are child maintenance payments it would be wise to evidence some form of arreement between the parties that they are so.

Regards
Paul