CSA 1 & Private Arrangement

Cassa

Hi all,

My son's father owes me approx £7000 in child support (accumulated over many years). Because he is on CSA1 the csa do tend to take a large sum from him through DOE, however he then packs his job in and it takes months to find him again.

Is it possible for me to ask the CSA for a set amount from him each month? So it's fairer to all concerned.

Anyone been in this situation?

I don't want to close the case because of the outstanding arrears.

Thanks

kelloggs36

No it isn't I'm afraid. To be fair, it isn't the CSA's fault that he is having large sums of money taken from him via a DEO - it is his own! You can ask if the arrears could be collected over a longer period if you feel that you owe him anything, but as he has avoided the CSA and thus his responsibilities, then I don't see why you should feel guilty in any way.

Cassa

Thanks Kellogs. At the moment I get only 1 or two payments per year. I would rather settle for less more frequently!!

Could I close the case & ask them just to look after the arrears?

blimey40

This is the other side of he coin, good luck in tracking him down.

kelloggs36

You could but why would you? My bet is that nothing would change - he would just think that he had got let off!!!

Cassa

I haven't made a definite decision yet, I just wanted to see what was possible.

As the situation stands I get very sporadic child support. This has gone on for almost 8 years. My son is getting older and I would like to actually have some regular maintenance while he is still at home!

I would be happy with less, on a regular basis, rather then a chunk of money once or twice a year.

My son's father has shown a willingness, at long last, to want to discuss this matter. If we can reach an agreement I would be delighted.

However, I won't write off the arrears. If I can get the CSA to collect this whilst receiving regular payments from NRP, that would be wonderful.

If he stops paying again, I should just be able to set up a new CSA case.

Sensemaya

You can close the case for 13 weeks to transfer on to CS2 and arrears will be transferred over and the case will probably be clerical....BUT...I imagine arrears will be building up all the time on CS1. See how it goes for those 13 weeks with him paying you by private agreement.

If he is willing to discuss the situation with you, you both need to get an account breakdown and then make a decision.

Thing is he may seem willing at first,but he will probably go back to his old ways in a few months. I would not advise you to write off the arrears. In my eyes arrears are non-negotiable.

What gets me is how these NRPs can pack in one job and then walk into another straight away.

GuiltCombo

This is an interesting topic for me as I am a single father receiving (should receive) maintenance from my son's mother. We are on CSA1 and my son's mother has been in arrears virtually since I got custody 10 years ago. What I find infuriating is that arrears build up while she is being assessed (constantly changing jobs) and during those periods, I receive nothing even though she is working and earning. After the assessment (3 months minimum) I am told those arrears 'should' be paid back at a tiny rate of £40/month for many years. Why can't the CSA simply demand them as a lump sum? Now my ex is on a nil assessment as she has chosen to have another baby with someone else. She can afford to pay her phone, gas, electric, mortgage and feed her new children, why does the original child lose out and receive nothing at all? Why can these arrears never be enforced and how can a parent--any parent-- be on a 'nil assessment? Isn't financial responsibility part of being a parent?
I suppose there is no question or comment here. Just an excuse to vent! I just feel the CSA should be stricter with NRP's as it is the children who go without. Also, to say it is not always the men who shirk their parental responsibilities.

Cassa

A quick update.

A private agreement has been arranged, with an amount we are both happy with, plus some payment off the arrears every month.

The CSA have put the case on hold, and will leave it that way, unless the payments stop again.

So far everyone's happy, fingers crossed that it stays that way.