Avoiding payments

HeatherH

He's told them that he's not working. I told them otherwise and they investigated it. At the moment he's only doing 1 night every 2 weeks at a night club as a barman, so apparently he's covered to not pay anything as what he earns is under the protected earnings limit. I've been ringing every 1-2 weeks since this started nearly 2 years ago, it's hardly got me anywhere.

No ones gone to see him, the most I've heard is they ring him directly, if he picks up the phone, they ask for payment, he says he's skint, they say they'll ring him in a couple of weeks.

Are they being lazy about this? Am I missing something? or is it still just about waiting?

Cheers

elaina79

I would give up phoning the CSA and start putting everything in writing. Put in a formal complain and maybe even get your MP involved.

Mr_Green_Genes

gratefulforhelp wrote: »

It shouldn't matter if the ex is playing hard to get. They have systems in place to get the appropriate amount of money for your kid/s.

That has always been the case. That's not the problem. The problem is that they don't do it properly (or, in many cases, at all).

Ring them, and make a nuisance of yourself until they use their statutory powers to get your kid/s their due.

NO!!!!!

This needs repeating very frequently. Write, don't ring. They lie, deny and falsify over the phone as there is no proof of what they say. Make them put it in writing, that more or less forces them to tell the truth (something most of them find extremely difficult).

gratefulforhelp_2

They are, unfortunately, just as capable of losng paperwork.
The MP suggestion is a good one, though.

HeatherH

Ok daft question, but how do I exactly get my MP involved? I don't even know who my local MP is. I get the jist that I need to write a letter to them, but what I do put in the letter. I'm sure they wont need to know every minute detail, so what would be the beset way to proceed with it?

Thanks

kelloggs36

Make an appointment to see your MP at their local surgery - they should hold them once a month or so. Look them up on https://www.upmystreet.com - follow the links and input your postcode to find your MP.

gratefulforhelp_2

If you type "contact my MP" into google you find a website, sorry, will try to come back with link, that allows you to email them direct. Good luck!

gratefulforhelp_2

http://www.writetothem.com here it is.

atomic_jen

definitely get MP involved. I am in the same boat but my ex not only owes me money but has been assessed to pay 'nil' because he is now on benefit!! I am fuming and have written a complaint to the CSA and copied it to my MP, James Purnell (Head of Work and Pensions) and to Gordon Brown. If that doesn't get something done I will contact the papers and TV about it. It's fundamentally wrong that a parent should not be financially responsible for their children. If I was out of work I would still have to support the children - there is no option. Good Luck - go get 'em.

HeatherH

Well looks like my ex has done another runner. My caseworker has finally been able to get hold of enough pay slips to make an assessment for maintenance, but the employer had told him that while this is going on, he hasn't been into work all week. So it looks like he's going to lose another job. He also told me that when my ex was told by the employer that the case was chasing him, he said that he didn't care and shrugged it off.

What did I do to get lumbered with a caniving !!!!!! like him.... actually don't answer that lol.

So looks like I'm probably going to be back at square one. My caseworker is going to do the assesment anyway, and I've said I don't care how much it is, as long as it's something. I know my ex fakes his caring wonderful nature, I just wish more people saw he was a tit, not just me lol