I haven't posted for a while as i have been fighting hard against the csa. Briefly i was hit with a demand for £1400 arrears despite paying regularly and never missing a payment. I also supplied all information they required when it was asked for.
It turned out the arrears had accrued due to their maladministration. This strated back in April. I got my M.P involved, who was very helpful but could only offer limited assistance as child support law is too rigid. I decided to take them on myself and whilst the arrears was their fault it hadn't been calculated properly to take into account my step daughter (15% reduction off net for step kids). That reduced it down to a shade over £1000. I complained bitterly and regularly about everything and anything and eventually instead of getting the usual lip service finally got to someone who was partially prepared to listen. I complained about the complaints workers too. At this point i had about 9 seperate complaints running.
As a result of my persistance i received a letter of apology from them an assurance they will treat me with respect and dignity and i was compensated too, yes compensated.
It's all on their client charter.
Feeling a bit smug i complained again and got another apology and a new caseworker.
The situation with the arrears obviously didn't go away and i got the usual we want this back in 5 minutes. It didn't help my ex had complained to them wanted her money as she knew there were arrears.( i suspect she has run out of fags!!!)
Yesterday i finally reached an agreement with them to repay this amount. Originally they wanted £104 per week.....Yes £104 per week. I make less than £17k gross per annum.
This is now down to £74 per week which is the minimum they say they will take (30%).
Naturally i have complained again. The last few months have been quite stressful but i am glad i chose to fight, they really don't like that. I changed jobs recently and obviously had to be re-assessed. I submitted 2 months wage slips, i had already done the maths so i knew what to expect. They came back with an over inflated number. They had failed to take the tax off their calculation, a stupid schoolboy error that could of cost me alot of money. This is now subject to another complaint and i have also requested a new caseworker as mine can't add up.