Backdated assessments

kevin6969

Hi, Can anyone help or advise me please?

I came under the CSA in 1998 and after the initial assessment paid them by Standing Order. I have then heard nothing from them until September (a month after my child's 19th Birthday) advising me that my case was closed - happy days!

To my horror, I then got a letter in October saying that it had come to their attention whilst closing my account that a re-assessment had been missed in 2001 and they wanted to assess me. I called them and explained that as it was 7 years ago, I hadn't got a clue what my earnings were then etc. The lady I spoke to said she was surprised it had gone this far back and that I would probably hear no more.

Yesterday, I received a letter informing me that I had been re-assessed and that I now had to pay almost £70/week from 15-01-2001. I've worked this out and it looks like I now have arrears of about £27K......

So.... can they do this??? It doesn't seem fair as they admit it was an error on their part. Is there any point appealing? What am I going to do - help please???

blimey40

You need to write to them and ask for your DATA PROTECTION FILES, thats the first step.

I'd also recommend some legal advice thorugh someone like NACSA, who can help you in this. I think its a annual fee of £45 and they can be very helpful.

Hopefully, others will be along in due course we further advice.

dizzydusty

I'm a PWC under CSA1. My case wasnt reviewed regularly nor did my EX ever keep in touch with them to let them know if he was working etc. My understanding is that a change of circs could only be done from the date the change was notified to the CSA. My ex had an interim assessment done on him as he continually refused to cooperate and this was the only reason they were able to go back to dates and change the assessment (to change the interim assessment to an actual assessment).

If the review hadn't been carried out in 2001 I don't see how they can backdate it as no change was notified. The debt from that would be over 6 years old by now anyway so I fail to see how they can even attempt to calculate from then as they are time barred against it, I would think the earliest they could go back to (if they can at all) would be 6 years from now.

I would complain to your MP now, don't wait for this to escalate any further. Strt the complaints procedure with the CSA also, unfortunately this needs to go up all the levels before you can send it to the Independent Case Commissioner - should it get sorted by the CSA before then.

Document everything, I personally do everything in writing - takes a while but at least you have hard evidence.

Best of Luck!