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If you're a single parent and not working...
Will the Child Support Agency contact me?
When you make a claim for Income Support, part of the form asks you to authorise a maintenance application against the father. Alternatively you can declare that you believe you should be exempt because if you claim maintenance there would be a risk of harm or undue distress to you or your baby. (This is sometimes referred to as "good cause"). You do not have to decide straight away - you can tear off that part of the form and return it within 14 days of making your benefit claim.
I have good reason not to have any contact with the father.
The Child Support Agency takes a narrow view of "harm or undue distress". Examples would be fear of violence, rape or sexual abuse. Worrying about disruptive demands for contact with the child, or your own desire not to have any further contact with the father, would normally not be considered "good cause".
If you are concerned about which part of the form to sign you should get advice first from your local Citizens' Advice Bureau, as local Child Support officers may make different decisions.
The Child Support Agency will not pass on your address to the father and paying maintenance does not give him any legal rights over the baby. The father would have to go to court if he wanted contact with the child (beyond what you are prepared to agree).
If you decide not to apply for maintenance and the Child Support Agency does not accept that you had "good cause", they can reduce your benefit for up to three years, renewable for another three.
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