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CSA advice forum » Child Support Agency

1. jedti
   Member
   
   

   I got a letter in April this year saying that my liability had finished and that I owed no monies. Today I got a letter from the CSA saying i'd agreed to pay £107 per WEEK by cheque to them for £22,000 arrears. Now you've all picked yourselves from the floor, here's the deal. I called them up and got a really stroppy madam on the phone. First of all her opening gambit was she wanted the 22k in a lump sum! I asked when these so called arrears started from. She said 1996!!!! I asked her to verify this but told me that they changed computer systems in 2003 and could not get any payments schedules on screen! So I asked her where she got the figure from again...and guess what...same answer! (By this time my head was spinning). I told her from 1996 to 2004 that I was not working (which I definately was not) and that I had attended university in 2001 to 2004. Her stock response was...you never told us. But I did. However, they cannot find a record of it because they changed systems!!!! Any advice on this...or am I in for a fun few years....because I am not paying it.

   Posted 1 year ago #

2. trisha
   Member
   
   

   first off all i am supposing you are talking to the enforcement division of the CSA well dont because you will get no where. Put a letter into the complaints department and ask them to deal with your complaint. Then you need to keep an eye on these ones as well but at least this department has to listen to you. remember to keep all corresspondence and only deal with them in writing. They have to respond to your letters within 15 days.

   The new system came into operation in 2003. They where on written information before this where they have made loads off mistakes. You say you still owe 22,000 ask them to send you a break down off all the calculations in regards to the How the maintaince is calculated. This should show you your income and her income if she is working and this shows also the exempt income and your protective income. Let me know if you have new children with your new partner if you have one.

   Dont take what they tell you as gospel truth as there are over 100 rules that they need to follow and i know from experience that they dont follow them due to lack off experience from there constant turn around in their staff.

   Last off all apply for all the information they hold on you through the data protection act. Be prepared for a lot of reading but it is worth it as this is where i found out a lot of info in regards to the maintance that they wanted from my partner. I am fighting his case i used to be one off the parents with care in his case he still has two pwcs. I got him back all off his arrears which amounted to 80,000 pounds. Keep corressponding to them. I bet you didnt owe as much as they said you did.

   I dont know the whole history off your case but you are on the old case and this is better for you than the new one.

   let me know how you get on. a

   Posted 1 year ago #

3. jedti
   Member
   
   

   Thanks for the reply Trisha.

   I can break down my case for you easily. In 1994 the CSA put an AOE order on my wages, which I paid until I left employment in 1996. I moved address and corresponded with the CSA at my new address. I never worked at all again until 2004. I was a house husband with my new partner until 2001. In 2002 I went to university to get a degree and upon completion worked part time until August 2005. In June 2006 I again was subject to an AOE. The person I spoke with in the Birkenhead office, said that I had to pay arrears of £5 per week covering the period from 2003 until June 2006 at the rate of £46 per month, which I duly did. My liability for children ended in September 2009. So I paid my dues (£180 per month), and now the £22,000 slammer has appeared. At all times they have known my addresses, and funnily enough, can tell me!!, yet they have no records from before 2003. I'll take your advice and contact them, stating what you have advised. In truth, I owe no money...however if you take £5 per week as the minimum allowance, from 1996 to 2003 it comes to £2,200 and not £22,000. But like you have said....they will not listen.

   Thanks again and i'll keep you informed.

   Posted 1 year ago #

4. trisha
   Member
   
   

   Hi Jedti

   If you where income support your assessment would have been nil but your arrears will stay on the system if you have any.

   Good luck toughen up. If a thing doesnt sound logical then it isnt. It looks as if they have made a typing error.

   As i have said to you before put a letter of complaint to the complaints department they have to look into this for you. Remember put everything in writing and keep a copy.

   good luck

   Posted 1 year ago #

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