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CSA advice forum » NRP Discussion

1. Struggling
   Member
   
   

   Hi,

   I'm struggling to cope with the increase in my CSA payments and just do not know where to turn.

   I'm paying for 2 boys to my first ex and one girl to my 2nd ex. I'm now married with no children.

   I don't see my kids but please do not judge me without an explanation as to why. I'd love it if I was involved with their lives.

   I won't go into the the reasons behind my separations from my ex's as that isn't why I've joined this site but if you think it's relevant I'll fill you all in.

   I currently bring home £223 a week after deductions, I work full time. The CSA have decieded at my recent end of year review my payments will be increased to £389 per calendar month, this is 40% of my earrings to cover maintenance and arrears (apx £6.5k arrears).

   The guy that seems to be incharge of my case is awful, I've tried to tell him I can't physically afford to live on the money I have left but he said I either pay the DD or he'll just get an attachment of earnings for the same amount.

   My (very understanding) wife tried talking to him to explain the situation but he was so arogant with her it reduced her to tears (she's not one to cry easily). The best the guy could suggest was for me to send in an income and expenditure form to the complaints resolution team.

   Please can you advise what I should be putting on an I&E list? I'm guessing rent, gas, elec etc but should I also be putting things on like my dinner money for work? We also put away £40 a month to pay for Xmas and birthday gifts, should I be putting that down? I don't smoke and spend only £10 a week on socialising, I've only had 1 forign holiday in the last 8 years (paid for by family) so my money isn't being frittered away.

   It wasn't a problem until recently, I used to pay 35% of my old wage but I had to change jobs due to ill health (lost £400 a month). My wife does not earn much more than me but she pays for all the car running costs now as I lost my licence when I became ill, im hoping if I get this illness under control I'll get my licence back next year.

   I do not begrudge paying CSA so please don't think I'm trying to get out of it, I just want to be able to afford to live too.

   Posted 9 months ago #

2. Struggling
   Member
   
   

   I forgot to add, the CSA said I could reduce my payments if I made a lump sum payment over the phone. I asked how much and the guys said a large amount so my wife said I could use her bonus from work, I offered to pay £400 over the phone there and then but the guy just said no because that isn't a large amount! Well excuse me, £400 is a lot of money to me!

   Posted 9 months ago #

3. Big Gaz
   Member
   
   

   I've done a quick calculation and the figures, based on what you've said, appear to be correct. It's worth asking for a breakdown of the arrears, just to make sure the CSA have got them right. Often they haven't. Put this request in writing and send it by recorded delivery, as well as asking over the phone, just so the CSA can't deny receiving it.

   As for the income and expenditure have a look at http://www.cccs.co.uk/. It's the consumer credit counselling service. You can put your income and expenditure into their online calculator, which produces a statement. It's usually used for people with debt problems, and will give you an idea of what to include.

   You might also want to approach the NACSA (http://www.nacsa.co.uk/) who can offer advice.

   You're in a difficult situation, but don't be bullied - and try to avoid a deduction of earnings order. Once that's imposed they've got you by the short and curlies.

   Posted 9 months ago #

4. Struggling
   Member
   
   

   Thanks for the reply. I'll look at your links when I get home from work.

   What exactly is I DOE? I'm thinking my boss just sends them 40% of my earnings after deductions each week. I'm guessing that isn't as simple as that?

   I've always paid my child maintenance on time with the exception of 2 months ago when the new DD hadn't been set up correctly, as soon as I noticed I phoned up and paid on my debit card!! CSA said it's my fault it failed but I don't think it is, I asked for proof of it being my fault and I was told that couldn't be sent as the CSA is a paperless office, so I asked for it to be emailed instead - they 'can't' do this as it's against data protection (WTF?). If my bank had made a mistake then I want to approach them and complain!

   Posted 9 months ago #

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