Csa Arrears

Soul91

I have just had a letter from the csa after thinking my case was closed saying i owe them nearly 5k. I haven't heard a thing from them for the past 7 to 8 years and now this, Can they still claim it? or has to much time past?

Loopy_Girl

Time restrictions do not apply for arrears for the CSA as they are part of the DWP. You can be chased for arrears until they are paid for however long that takes.

What makes you think the case was closed? Do you have a letter confirming this?

rebbonk

Demand a breakdown of just how these "arrears" occurred. The CSA have been known to make mistakes!

Sensemaya

rebbonk wrote: »

Demand a breakdown of just how these "arrears" occurred. The CSA have been known to make mistakes!

Indeed on actual account breakdowns too. I once got 3 different interpretations.

Soul91

The aleged arrears came about when they tried to get me to pay for my kids when they where living with me, and some of them from an unresolved dispute i had with the csa, as for thinking it was closed my kids are adults now, that kind of ends a csa case surely????????

helper84

hi unfourtunatly for you, yes they can still claim these arrears back if indeed you do owe them. the csa do have a cut off date for which they cant legally enforce a debt but even then they cant still try to recover it e.g deduction from your earnings (if employed)
the fact your kids are now grown up will mean that YES your case is technically closed from charging regular maintance every week but the arrears however will still remain on the case until paid or found there not actually owed.

my advice would be for you to come to an agreement to start paying it back to prevent any further action being taken and in the meantime get any evidence together to support claims you do not owe the money, if its found you dont then there's no reason why the money cant be refunded, and if you do well... then you do.
hope this helps a bit

helper84

sorry it should have read "they CAN still recover it e.g deduction from your earnings (if employed)"

kelloggs36

During the period the children lived with you, did you claim the Child Benefit? If not, then the case would not have been closed - we need more in-depth info to be able to advise whether these arrears are genuine or an error.

kelloggs36

The Statute of Limitations do not apply to CSA debt which accrued since 13 July 2000 so they can still get a liability order for the debt if it is legally owed.

Soul91

If i remember correctly the alledged debt is dated from 1996 to late 1999

kelloggs36

In which case they cannot take legal action to recover it, but they can still get a DEO to recover if you are not self-employed.