I accept my responsibility but why should my six-month-old son suffer?

I have spent most of my life in and out of addiction and mental health issues and I am not proud of my past. During my time as an unemployed basket case I somehow managed to become the father of two children more than 14 years a go.

In 2005 I managed to get sober, and get help with my mental health problems and I went back to school a studied for a degree. My first ever qualification and I actually got a job at the university where I studied.

My job was to support students from mental health backgrounds throughout their degree programmes and it paid very well.

After 5-6 months in work,I was unaware that it was my duty to inform the CSA that I was off benefits and in full time employment but after getting a few threatening phone calls I gave permission for the CSA to make direct deductions from my wages, which they did for which I accepted full responsibility for two previous children.

Payments were deducted on a monthly basis and I just got on with my life.

I left that job for a lesser paid job last year as my girlfriend was pregnant and we moved into a flat together so we could bring up our child together.

6 months into my new job with half the pay I was receiving before, I received a bill from the CSA for more that £17000 and a demand for full payment.

Anyway to cut a long story short, I appealed and lost my appeal, I tried to make it clear as to: Why didn’t I receive 6 months ago In my previous employment when the CSA were making deductions then?

The ‘Officer’ dealing with my case has on numerous occasions told me that re-payments will be minimized so I can repay at a rate I can afford as I have 6 month old child and my girlfriend at home.

I sent all my appeal documents with outgoings and now the officer has doubled the payments (maybe because I complained about her bullying me?)to an extent where I cannot even afford to pay the rent at the end of the month.

Ironically, I work in the community supporting young and vulnerable adults for a London Based Charity and yesterday I was invited to event at Westminster called ‘The Social Justice Conference 2013’ whee the Secretary of State fro Work and Pensions the Rt Hon Ian Duncan Smith MP spoke about Investing in our children’s futures.

As I listened to him speak I couldn’t help wondering about my six month old son and wife who will be made homeless this Christmas because, even though I changed my life around, help change others lives around and I am working, we will be made homeless because the CSA cannot do their jobs correctly or fairly.

I don’t deny or refuse to pay and I accept my responsibility but I do not see why my six month old son should suffer now.

I will probably leave my job next week so we can live on benefits as we will be able to live then.

So much for Social Justice.