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CSA advice forum » CSA Advice

1. 7mark
   Member
   
   

   I was assessed by CSA 4 years ago and it was £0, i share care with my son, and buy everything he needs and provide him and his mother with telephone, internet, sky TV, clothes, money and grocery's, recently though i received a letter from the CSA saying i owe £2000 plus in arrears and demanding payments beyond my earnings (I have low income (£700, which will drop in march to £500) and spend all my money on my son), they want £280 a month, after calculations that leaves me with -£230. The letter states the wrote last year (Which they didn't), the mother got a letter too saying they where chasing me for money for her (Which she will never receive)

   I have a good relationship with the mother, who doesn't want their involvement, but receives benefits, we are hoping to rekindle our relationship but this is destroying me. Today i got a "Child Maintenance Enforcement letter", yesterday i just registered for "Insolvency" due to a build up of credit card debts. Please help this is just getting abit to much for my sanity.

   Posted 3 months ago #

2. mr.pink
   Member
   
   

   Write to the CSA and ask them to provide calculations as to how they have arrived at their figures. They are obliged to tell you the net weekly income used to work out the maintenance.
   The CSA are not interested in your financial hardship, thet only want money. It is up to you to prove they have made an error.
   Unfortunately, you will have to stop buying directly for your child and channel all the money through the CSA. Anything you give directly will not count.
   I presume the CSA were made aware of the shared care arrangement because the maintenance is reduced (See CSL 109)It can be reduced by 50% if the child spends more than 175 nights a year with you - there is a sliding scale.
   Don't be intimidated by the CSA, fight your corner.Challenge them on what they say - ask for a copy of the letter they supposedly sent and make it clear that neither you or the PWC recived those letters. They make plenty of errors and are not above telling porkies.

   Just found this very interesting information on the Nuffield Foundation web site:-
   This project will provide the first look at what removal of compulsory Child Support Agency (CSA) involvement has meant for single parents. The rules were changed in October 2008, which means that currently single parents are able to choose whether to:
   ? use the CSA to pursue child maintenance from their former partner;
   ? make their own voluntary child support arrangement with their ex; or
   ? not seek child maintenance at all.

   My understanding is that the PWC is threatened with reduced benefits if she opts out of seeking maintenance. It might be more cost efficient if she finds out how much this reduction is and you give the shortfall directly. She can then opt out and the CSA should drop out of the equation.

   Posted 3 months ago #

3. 7mark
   Member
   
   

   thanx for the reply Mr Pink, I spoke to the mother and she said she opted out 3 years ago, it seems they have ignored her wishes

   Posted 3 months ago #

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