Is CSA1 an exact science? (if so where can I get a copy of the formula) -merged-

mothballed

kelloggs36 wrote: »

No but they do divulge your income details. It is quite difficult to work out your circumstances as the allowances are clubbed together so unless she knows the formula, she won't know much!!!

Can she find out where I live and anything about my girlfriend after we move in together?

marksoton

No she cannot

mothballed

Im about to sign on JSA soon and I am hoping this will give the CSA more time to put things right. I have tried for more than a year to get the CSA to comply with its own regulations but it chooses not to do so. I am now completely skint and exhausted from working for nothing. My girlfriend is unwilling to pay my child maintenance but is happy to throw money at lawyers if my case is robust and the fees can be recovered. I have a number of grounds for instructing a lawyer to take the CSA to appeal or a judicial review.

1. The CSA has assessed me on a specimen income from August 2007 when I worked the maximum overtime of 75 combined hours a week covering holidays. I dropped back to 40 hours a week (with some overtime when available) for the remainder of the year. The CSA have DEO'd my income for 30% + 10% arrears on the basis I am working 75 hours a week for 52 weeks a year and has been overcharging me. I want to ask the CSA for a refund.

2. I rent a bedsit in a converted house, a building that used to be my uncles principle home and he is now my landlord. The CSA class me as a non dependant and do not allow me to retain income to pay rent and I have accrued substantial arrears. I am having to sign on JSA and my landlord is bumping up my rent to reduce arrears by paying it off using housing benefit. I want the CSA to refund me the housing allowance it does not allow me.

3. The CSA does not allow me to retain income to pay council tax because it thinks I am a non dependant. I want to ask the CSA for a refund of income that I should have been allowed to retain to pay my council tax liability.

If we hire Steven Lawson or a similar lawyer, are the fees recoverable?

mothballed

marksoton you are my best friend!

kelloggs36

If you carried on working, then you would get a nil assessment initially as the housing costs alone are more than your net income.

kelloggs36

He does a no win no fee system.

kelloggs36

The house that you rent from your uncle - what proof do you have that he no longer lives there?

Secondly, whilst he was there, you were correctly classed as a non-dependant as it clearly states that if you are living in a house with a person and you only owe that person money to live there, then you are a non-dependant ie you have no legal responsibility towards the housing costs.

If he has moved out maybe you should get a different tenancy agreement which clearly states that the terms of the tenancy have changed and are now on normal terms in respect of rent.

kelloggs36

The point about the friend is that if the friend owns the house, then you are a non-dependant. If he moves out, then the terms of the tenancy need to show that you are now properly liable for the housing costs.

Loopy_Girl

marksoton wrote: »

No she cannot

This of course should be true, but believe me, I have managed to glean quite alot of useful information from the CSA about my ex and his employment status and living arrangements.

It's all in the way you ask the questions and if Mothballed's ex is on the ball.....

mothballed

kelloggs36 wrote: »

If you carried on working, then you would get a nil assessment initially as the housing costs alone are more than your net income.

Hmmm interesting.