CSA advice forum

CSA advice forum » Child Support Agency

1. Doodles42
   Member
   
   

   My ex and i split 17 years ago. Initially the CSA was contacted, but we quickly decided that we would rather have a private arrangement. From day one I have paid the agreed monthly amount without fail. Yesterday I received a letter from the CSA claiming that I owe money to them. I phoned the CSA straight away to be told that I owe them this money because my ex was claiming benefits after our split. No amount of arguing that i had paid the agreed amount without fail would help. The CSA say I have to pay this money. Why am I being saddled with a large arrears bill if I've been paying the agreed amount? I just dont get it!! Should I appeal?

   Posted 7 months ago #

2. rita123
   Member
   
   

   i dont know a great deal about it but i would defiantly appeal. can you not prove any amounts from bank staements etc? my husband hasnt paid though the csa for 2 years but has had a private arrangement with ex gf. he paid though csa from feb 2003 til dec 2009 i believ she was on benefits from 2003 until 2009. now she wants payment through csa again no surprise there but we only have to pay from when we were contacted by the csa, date of letter 23rd sep.

   Posted 7 months ago #

3. csafighter
   Member
   
   

   If you can get your ex to sign a letter saying how much he/she's been paid through your private agreement, with dates etc, this should be taken into consideration by the CSA. I am currently facing arrears and am told by them this is one way they can be reduced or cleared altogether. Failing that you can try the Appeals process but unless the CSA have made a mistake in calculations or procedure your grounds for appeal are limited, unless it will cause you severe financial hardship. The system isn't very fair I'm afraid, the CSA have very robust laws which are stacked against the absent parent irrespective of how much they love, see or spend on their children (unless you have joint custody) and its about time the law was changed. You can also ask your MP to investigate your case, he/she will have a dedicated case worker assigned to CSA complaints.

   Posted 7 months ago #

4. Paul B
   Member
   
   

   A word of warning here from my bitter experience - my ex wife started CSA proceedings on me but during the time they took to make the calculations approached me suggesting a private arrangment and calling off the CSA. I went with this for a time gladly giving her the £200 per month cash she asked for instead of the £370 that the CSA decided i should pay and heard no more from the CSA. Then came the fateful call from the CSA to tell me that i hadn't been paying them any money and that i was now in over £2000 of arrears !!! - My ex wife had never called the CSA off after all and flatly denied ever getting my monthly £200. I should of checked with CSA myself i know that and should of got her to sign for the money on a monthly basis but she refused - i now pay CSA roughly £600 per month in payments and arrears and have been doing so since May 2011. This amount from my salary is crippling me every month and i have no money left to spend on my kids when enjoying my weekend access .... be warned the CSA really do not care !

   Posted 7 months ago #

5. fukthem
   Member
   
   

   Hi, The agency do not take any private agreement into consideration unless the PWC is prepared to state that she has received the amount of money,however, she can and will without doubt say the payments were not related to Child Maintenance

   Posted 7 months ago #

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