Departure re housing allowance %

bdt1

Hi, just quick update, CSA Appeals Dept have finally admitted that the CSA assessments that saw the assessable income to include child benefit, tax credits, NRPP Company expenses and CSA monies for step-children all included are incorrect - they didn't apologise for the 34k LO, CCJ or application for charge order on our property though!!!!!!!! But at least it's a start.

Anyway we are being fast-tracked through the Tribunal Service as per recommendation by Appeals, in order to have re-assessment calculated on evidence we have provided.

What I need to clarify prior to the Tribunal is that in 2003 NRP and NRPP separated for a few months, yet prior to this a Housing Departure was in place, so meaning that as NRP then didn't have a partner to share his housing costs with the Departure at that point was not valid. But when a few months later NRP and NRPP reconciled would the Departure with regard to apportioning housing allowance be automatically reinstated , or would the PWC have to apply for a further Departure, as circumstances had changed twice for NRP?????

Hope explained myself fully, but just need to clarify this, as it is an issue that will affect the assessment at Tribunal.

Any advice greatly appreciated

kelloggs36

Were the CSA notified at the time of the change in circumstances?

bdt1

Yes CSA were notified of change and would have massive problem denying it as after reconciliation Face-to-face officer visited NRP and NRPP at their marital home 3 times in 12 month period, even at last point when NRPP pregnant

kelloggs36

What they may do is to suspend the departure for the period that the NRPP wasn't working and then re-instate it - normally they do this if the change in circumstances is only temporary/

bdt1

Thanks Kellogs, just so we knew whether or not to expect a 100% or 50% allocation of housing costs for the assessment when it's corrected - at moment NRP has 50% of mortgage cost for house haven't lived in since 2003, mortgagae then was £299 per month, our current mortgage at assessment date was £1100 per month, bit of a difference!!!!!!!

Thanks again, just didn't want to get caught out by them - again

LizzieS_2

I think some of this comes down to common sense.

If when you had split up the housing costs were changed to 100% in your name, then upon resuming the relationship the pwc would have again applied for a departure for the costs to again be split.

By the same token, had you known you were still a csa "client" you would have reported your increased housing costs when you moved.

bdt1

We did inform CSA of both the split and reconciliation - and both times evidence of housing costs - just wanted to confirm circumstances re Departure as at the time - PWC not aware that NRP and NRPP had separated for a time, never mind reconciled as no contact between NRP and PWC,