Merry's adventures with the CSA

Merry_Gentry

Hi

Made my original application to the CSA back in August. Rang in September to be told that original application was locked as sensitive, no one in the sensitive team could access it so I would need to do another application.

Completed another application over the phone. Month later, rang again to be told the application had been put on the system, but not progressed. No idea why. Progressed this application and requested information from ex's employer.

I asked about Special Payment as obviously it wasn't my fault they messed up the original application, and didn't progress the second one. Can't do anything until assessment has been made.

When will assessment be made? Ah, slight problem. Technical issue on my application which will need to be sent to Newcastle to be fixed. Once it's fixed, the assessment can be done. No, we don't backdate the assessment, and no we can't tell you how long it will take Newcastle to sort out the technical hitch.

So basically I put my first application in back in August, and since then it has got nowhere. Now, due to a system error, they can't even tell me how long before they can do the assessment!!!

Has anyone else had this, and roughly how long did it take before they sorted out the technical problem and could do the assessment??

Thanks for any help.

kelloggs36

To get it escalated you need to make a formal complaint. They will contact Newcastle and get a rough idea, set the deadline for that date and then chase them up. Unfotunately, you are at the hands of those who have lots of cases like yours and they won't say how long it take. Complain loudly and FREQUENTLY about it. The complaint will be put on the stats as cleared if they get a date and you probably won't hear any more about it! You need to keep complaining otherwise it goes to the back of the pile.

Blackpool_Saver

I remember being told my case had a technical problem, I called back the next day and another person was able to get right in it.:rolleyes:

As kellogs says complain LOUDLY !!! good luck

Merry_Gentry

Looks like I'll be on the phone first thing tomorrow then - thanks very much.

JACKIE1960

My case has just been resolved after 15months but not to my satisfaction.

15 months ago i made application

6 months later after hearing nothing from them i ring and i'm told we have no record of you we will do your application again

another 6 months which is now a year later i ring again and i'm told again we have no record of your application claim again.

i claim again and tell them not good enough and make a complaint

sent in letter of complaint recorded delivery and get phone call from we'll say Mr CSA 1 acknowledging my letter and it will be dealt with.

Few dys letter another Mr CSA 2 calls and is very appologetic and tells me my case is being looked at and any arrears will be paid.

Few days later again the 1st Mr CSA 1 rings and asks me retract my complaint my case will be dealt with as a matter of urgency, they have all the info they need and an assessment calculation can be made.
I confirm with him that any arrears will be paid to me and he say's NO i then say but Mr CSA 2 says they will be to be told rather abruptly dont listen to anyone just listen to me. i'm your case worker and we cant pay you any arrears. Agree to withdraw your complaint and we can deal with your assessment now and once an assessment has been made and you recieve at least 3 months payments you can then apply to have arrears paid but if you keep the complaint going your case will have to be transferred to another dept and will take at least another 3 months to complete????

with Mr CSA 1's attitude i refuse to drop complaint what have i to lose i've already waited a year on this getting sorted whats another few months.
I was givin a target date of 24th Nov

Every week i made a call to Mr CSA 1 to find out my progress

Case goes technical then goes Advanced technical.

Last Mon Mr CSA 1 calls and informs me my case has now gone clerical and a new target date has been set for 19th Jan.
Next day 18th Nov phone call from clerical confirming few details
19th Nov letter in post my assessment has been made
20th Nov phone call from accounts tellin me how i will be paid and how my arrears will be paid.
21st Nov letter confirmin the phone call from accounts.

Once my case went technical then advanced it took around 6 weeks.

I am delighted at last an assessment has been made but why should i have to wait 2 years for the arrears to be paid back to me?

I'm not accepting the payment plan they have set up - why should i?
I want my arrears in full from them - am i being unreasonable?

Anyone know anyway forward?

Sensemaya

Jackie

Would you start a new thread please? Otherwise replies can get mixed up

Best to cut and paste this one and start afresh.

Cheers.

Merry_Gentry

OMG 2 years?!!!!!!!!! :eek:

Sensemaya

Merry_Gentry wrote: »

OMG 2 years?!!!!!!!!! :eek:

Try not to worry MG. You can come to an agreement with them. The two years is not set out in the legislation.

Have you had a word with them about how much per week the assessment is likely to be? Or you can use the CSA calculator. I would be inclined to start putting an amount away each week then you are not hit with big arrears.

My ex owes thousands. No way is he going to pay it off within 2 years.

Merry_Gentry

Just spoken to them. Still in technical La-La land We know it's going to be approximately £250 per month, but because he is already paying his first wife £450 through the CSA he says he can't afford to do a 'private' arrangement with me in the meantime.

I can understand it - it would mean him finding an extra £200 per month, but that doesn't really help deal with the feeding growing monster that is my lil 'un. Feeling a bit defeated to be honest. Thought I was being SO sensible starting this whole procedure back in August, and here I am 4 months later and no further down the line.

Merry_Gentry

Sensemaya wrote: »

Have you had a word with them about how much per week the assessment is likely to be? Or you can use the CSA calculator. I would be inclined to start putting an amount away each week then you are not hit with big arrears.

We actually sat down together and calculated how much he would have to pay, hence the £250 private arrangement we orignally came to. And I think he knows that he will have to stump up with some arrears when the assessment is finally done, but in the meantime he says he can't afford to pay me a penny.

Sensemaya

MG

For some reason I thought you were an NRP hence my post stating you can come to an arrangement. Sorry.

Is the reason that he refuses to pay you anything is that he knows it will be backdated and is frightened that he will have to pay twice over?

Does Ex1 know he is being reassessed as it will affect her support?