How long to sort out a claim/CSA?

NikNox

Hi all,

My husband's ex has asked the CSA to reassess him. This was last December. They wrote to him in January, requesting payslips, which he sent off and received back a few days later. Heard nothing for 2 months, then in March they wrote exactly the same letter again 'We are writing because we have been informed there is a change in your circumstances, etc.....' so he rang them, told them he'd already submitted the information. The chap said that was fine, he could see payslips had been submitted, apologised for sending another letter and said the claim would be sorted within a couple of weeks. Still heard nothing, and yesterday another letter, exactly the same came, requesting payslips and wanting the info by 24th June.

Can anyone explain what's happening? Hubby is going to ring them again, but no doubt will be told the same, that their system has recorded the information was sent to them in January etc. Why is it taking this long? Any ideas, advice would be most welcome.

Donedoingdebt

It's taking this long because this is typical CSA efficiency! They're bad enough at the best of times, but now they're in the process of moving onto another system (CMEC/CS3), I would guess that they just can't cope with the sheer volume of work.

Be aware that whatever nonsense they keep sending your Hubby, if he's assessed to pay more than he currently is, he's almost certainly building up arrears from last December.

He'd be wise to try & work out how much extra he may be paying, which is easier if he's on CS2, & put this away for when the CSA finally get their act together. They can be ruthless when trying to recover arrears even when the delays are their fault.

brians_daughter

keep on at them every week without fail, and follow it up with a letter stating you spoke to x on x date and x said and you agreed x. I know its a pain but it does pay (so to speak) to keep ontop of your case worker and by writting in also you give them extra work so they always seem keen to get it sorted asap.

As others have said if you know you will be liable for more then keep it stashed away somewhere to aviod 6 months arrears of any outstanding monies owed

NikNox

Thanks for your comments. Pretty much as I thought. However, and it's probably a shot in the dark, each letter has said 'we have been informed of a change in your circumstances', exactly like the very first one hubby was sent, so can we therefore assume that the claim will be backdated from the date of the last letter? As I said, I know it's a shot in the dark!!

We do know hubby will be paying more - his ex is on benefits, so she will only received £20 pw - but we also know that you can pay arrears over 2 years, so are more than prepared to argue that one!

catenorfolk

My advice, as a person who has been dealing with the csa for at least 10 years is to KEEP ringing them, also write but you must keep ringing and ringing and chasing them. You get so many stories from them i.e., this is lost, that is lost, we dont have this on record, we dont have that on record. it goes on and on...... luckily i am generally on the ball and my phone bills have risen somewhat, but we are getting there.... not sure where, but i am sure it is somewhere!!! lol

NikNox

Does anyone ever actually get anywhere with them? Last time hubby spoke to them, they said they could see that they had received the payslips and apologised for the delay, so what we don't understand is why they've sent another 'starting' letter. It's almost like the reassessment is only just being requested! I mean, if they have on record that the ex contacted them last December, then why are they resending the original letter, for the third time? She hasn't said anything to my hubby about it, but then he is going through a Contact case in Court at the moment and he's not popular with her. Is it possible that she IS chasing it with them, hence the letter?

Oh I don't know, it's ridiculous really!

brians_daughter

I would call CSA to get them to answer the question re when will the re-assesment be back dated to - just then you know where you stand and what financial impact it may have on you. Unfortunately you have to keep on at them to get anywhere... or thats the understanding of anyone i have ever spoken to re the CSA

Donedoingdebt

It's often a waste of time phoning them. A lot of the time, you receive duff information & then the phone calls are often not recorded & subsequently denied by the CSA.
You need to have anything from them in writing on official CSA paper, or if you email them & receive a reply, print out this reply & keep it safe.

pd001

Donedoingdebt wrote: »

It's often a waste of time phoning them. A lot of the time, you receive duff information & then the phone calls are often not recorded & subsequently denied by the CSA.
You need to have anything from them in writing on official CSA paper, or if you email them & receive a reply, print out this reply & keep it safe.

Totally agree!

amber_naomi

Hi, just to make you aware the 2 years arrears repayment is incorrect. It's a last resort before referring the debt to the courts. You need to justify why it would take you that long to pay the debt off in full and be ready to back it up with evidence.

joanneg_2

Hi, Just from personal experience. My partners ex requested reassessment in feb too .... i called them everyday and was very nice to them. Also try to work out what assessment could be so you can put by and use that as the reason you are chasing them up. Always get the name of the person you spoke to so you can use it for the next call and hold them to rights. Good luck.