Here's a good one .....

Blue_Horizon

I received a letter today from the CSA as I requested a C of C as my son reached 19 three weeks ago.

I've got a letter back requesting more info before they will process my request.

The letter refers says "it could affect the amount of child maintenance you receive". But I'm the NRP and I pay I don't receive.

It also asks me to "fill in the calendar that has been enclosed in the letter before we reassess your liability". I've had to guess what or how I complete the calendar.

Now I can assume that they want some info to confirm the shared care arrangements for my other child - not sure why this is relevant, but my daughter has been staying over less as she is now 17 and basically does what she wants.

So, do I:
a) write a snotty letter back asking for what it is they really want
b) assume that they want some details over overnight stays for the past 12 months

Any advice gratefully received.

Donedoingdebt

My Son reached 19 in May 2008 & when I notified the CSA of this, they stated they were already aware of this & would be doing a re-calculation of my case as my Daughter was only 16 at the time.

I decided to request a completely new assessment of my still CS1 case so all the information they held on me (salary, rent, council tax etc) was up to date & should avoid them coming back to me at some future date with some ficticious arrears amount.

However, I didn't receive any of this "calendar" stuff; perhaps because I went for full reassessment.

Be aware, that if you're on CS1, because of the complicated method of the assessment formula, your payments may not reduce even though you're now paying for 1 child instead of 2. Sometimes, because of changed circumstances, you may even end up paying more. This is why a lot of posters feel that the CS2 system is a fairer one.

Blue_Horizon

I phoned today to find our more. There are 2 C of C's as the PWC as requested another one based on a change of shared care. That's why a calendar. This was last requested in January and was rejected as D stayed 67 nights in the previous 12 months. D is now 17 and staying a lot less as doing her own thing with friends etc. but number of nights over past 12 months is now 55. Sometime soon it will be under 52. So I've got to send back the calendar and any evidence to support overnight stays.

The CSA have also said that they will not do reassessment until both CofCs are completed! Seems a bit unfair to me!

btw - I'm on CS2.