DEO if already paying by standing order

joanneg_2

Hi I just have a quick question. My partner has recently been reassessed and we have our new payment which is less than the original payment. He also has arrears from 1996 which he has always questioned but is still waiting answers about. We are paying a minimal rate per month whilst the CSA were meant to be looking into the arrears.

We had our new payment letter through stating we should reduce our standing order inline with the new assessment figure. I called them saying we would like to keep the payment the same and pay the extra off the arrears (whilst they still investigate haha). This was agreed to and happened yesterday.

Today we get a call from the debt department regarding the arrears and that they want 40 % of my partners salary via DEO as it is the fastest way to collect the arrears. This would take 3 1/2 weeks to clear the arrears obviously quicker just not affordable. I am aware of their 2 yr guideline which I offered to pay at which was declined (not quick enough and too logical).

My question is if we're paying more than the agreed amount off the arrears(we have this agreement in writing) can they just over ride that and go for a DEO? ALso how quickly can one be set up and how do you get rid off it? My concern is that IF they do it after the 3 weeks clearing the arrears they'll then carrying on taking the maintenance payment that why and I really don't want them to have the control here.

We have a 3 yr old and an 8 wk old baby so this could cause some real problems for us so any advice would be great to hear.

Thank you.

kelloggs36

Go to your MP - you have an agreement in writing already. For what reason are they changing their minds? You have agreed to pay it within their own guidelines, and putting it over this extremely short timespan is just plain bullying as far as I can see. Did you refer them to the person you spoke to yesterday when you spoke with debt team today? I would certainly do that in the first instance.

iluvfreebies

This is part of a new debt steer that the agency is working under at the moment and it is very hard line - The case officers have to get authorisation from a very high management level to accept less than 40% agreements and any current arrangements are also being reviewed. In our team the management want to see proof of financial hardship before any less will be accepted. If you are not happy ask to speak to the manager in the team and go as high up the chain as you can to try to get this stupid steer knocked on the head.