Just received a bill from the CSA for over 25 thousand pounds!
On 12/06/12 I received a letter from the CSA stating that I owed them arrears of £26740.57. I replied to the letter within 5 days but they had already issued a deduction of earnings order to my employer for £336.15 per month from my salary to clear the arrears. They also are requesting payments of £83.94 moving forward.
I have contacted the CSA on several occasions and have provided everything they have asked for. I have tried to contact Solicitors to look in to this for me but 1) I can`t afford a Solicitor now and 2) All that I have tried don`t deal with the CSA.
A brief history of the situation: I am now 34 I separated from a short term girlfriend in 1998 In which a child was born a year before. At the time there was a dispute over fatherhood and whether I was the father.
When the child was born she decided at that time to not have a name on the child’s birth certificate so she could obtain housing benefits, child support etc. I wasn`t certain that the child was mind hence why we separated.
In 2002 I received a letter from the CSA stating that a claim has been made against me. I contacted that ex-girlfriend and said I wanted DNA tests. At that time she told me that the child wasn`t mine and that her new boyfriend/husband had adopted the child and she did`mt want anything to do with me. I spoke to the CSA after this conversation and explained we have a private agreement and that was the last I heard from both partied until 2012.
I have been in full-time employed since leaving school in 1995 and I have lived in the flat I do today since 2000 which is mortgaged.
The CSA have confirmed that they haven`t contacted me since 2002 and that the claim has been still outstanding that’s why I have received this huge bill. They have told me that I should have contacted them in 2002 to get in writing that the claim had ceased. On assumption the conversation I had with this ex-girlfriend and no letters form the CSA I was led to believe this was all over and cancelled.
As I told the CSA in 2002 that I have dealt with the situation privately they now consider this as admittance of excepting parenthood, which was never the case. That’s why they continue with the current DEO.
I have found out that the mother of the child married in 2002 and divorced in 2012…..this is why I have`nt heard from her or the CSA all that time!!!
I have recently submitted 2 recent pay slips on my current salary of £30,000pa as requested and they will reassess the claim which will be much more than the £420pm. More like £600!!
My mortgage is £380pm I have a loan of £290pm, council tax bills etc £180. Other travel/work expenses £250 pm, not taking into account of credit cards this will leave me broke each month.
I am trying to get DNA tests carried out but I need to apply to a court and find where she lives, this is proving difficult and I honestly can`t afford it right now.
By March 2013 I will lose my flat, my job and and ultimately my livelihood.
I have exhausted all avenues and I am getting nowhere…………..I am certain that there are regulations that the CSA are breaking in this matter, surely the CSA can`t open a case in 2000 and then send a bill for £27000 12 years later.
I hope you can help in this matter as I don`t know what else to do.
2 thoughts on “Just received a bill from the CSA for over 25 thousand pounds!”
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as far as i am aware the csa have to have proof that you are the father.. i.e your name would have to be on the birth certificate.. without this they would not be allowed to take any monies from you. if it were me i would be writing and complaining taking matters to your mp would help as well..
i would also be requesting any info the csa have on yourself..
if the child was indeed adopted then you are not responsible for the child any longer..
hope this helps. and good luck
Unfortunately they can and it is happening alot just now. My partner was in a similar situation – his 1st bill was £39,000, now reducing slowly at each fight with the Agency and now at appeal stage.
Even if your name is not on the birth certificate does not mean they can’t chase you.
Firstly stop dealing with the CSA by phone as you will get the run around. Write a formal letter of complaint to the Agency disputing paternity of the child. Also get your MP involved.
Write to CSA, Data Protection Unit, Newcastle requesting a copy of your file. The CSA will charge a small fee of £10 but will provide all information that they hold. This is where you will find out exactly what they have done to help you with your fight.
If the case has been on the CSA records from 2002 you are probably assessed under CSA1 rules which means the Agency have to take into account your household expenses. They will not take into account your debts though. As you have another child there should also be a reduction to your maintenance for that child.
Has your ex been in receipt of Income Support? If she has then some of the maintenance due will be due to the Secretary of State. From 2010 a pwc if in receipt of prescribed benefit would get to keep the maintenance and benefits, prior to this any maintenance went to Secretary of State. If she is on CSA1 if she was not in receipt of a prescribed benefit then the CSA would have to include her income also.
As adi says if the child was legally adopted then you are not responsible for maintenance at all.