csa payments

jmt11

I was recently contacted by the csa as my ex had decided to go through them even though we had an agreement between us already. The csa told me they would only be able to take money straight from my wages through my employer, which i was obviously unhappy about. after a few phone calls she agreed to have the money paid straight to her (how nice of her!!). at the weekend i received another letter from the csa saying she's changed her mind and now wants the money through the csa paid straight from my employers! can they do this?? apparently she claimed the money was not coming to her on a regular basis even though i have a direct debit set up for the first of every month. she is a very vindictive person and this coincides with her finding out recently that i'm seeing someone and very happy, i'm playing fair, i just wish she would!!?!

Donedoingdebt

As far as I'm aware, if you've had no history of problems with paying the CSA such as large overdue arrears etc, then you should be given the choice of payment method.

Only set up a standing order with them & do not use direct debit as a D/D will only give the CSA the opportunity to abuse the system & take whatever amount they feel like out of your account.

It's pointless dealing with them on the phone over matters such as these as they will often give out incorrect information & then deny it.

Do everything in writing, keep copies of all correspondence & send everything by at least recorded delivery.

jmt11

there are some arrears which are being paid off every month, her excuse for bringing this up is that she's not getting the money on a regular basis, its only been 2 months!! and quite obvious to anyone that owns a calender that the 1st & 2nd of august were on a weekend so it would have come out on the 3rd! in reality its nothing to do with it, she just likes causing trouble.......

shell_542

Hopefully someone will come along with more accurate information ...

but if I was you, I would write to them, recorded delivery informing them you do NOT want the payments made by DEO, you understand that you are able to pay by direct debit and are more than willing to and request they send the direct debit forms to set them up asap. Emphasising that this will be a more efficient and quicker way of the payments starting up and your child receiving his/her child support than waiting for a DEO to be set up.

Good luck

jmt11

i've just called the csa and apparently she's addamant that it has to be this way, they said that because my case is clerical the only way they can collect money is through my employer

shell_542

What does clerical mean?

enemes

shell_542 wrote: »

What does clerical mean?

Basically, means that the infamous CSA supercomputer can no longer handle the case and it has to go manual ( the good old fashion way!).

I agree with what Donedoingdebt says, in that a DEO should only be used if their has been constant failure to recieve payments from the NRP. I don't think your ex has any power to demand that a DEO should be initiated. Someone is bluffing you, in my opinion.

jmt11

apparently it means its not on their computer system so they have to do it using a different method (ie. going through my employer). i told them that their systems are not my problem but they sais thats the only way. I would understand if i wasn't paying at all!!

enemes

jmt11 wrote: »

they said that because my case is clerical the only way they can collect money is through my employer

That is bull****. Someone is definitely trying a fast one on you!

pinkpig08

As far as I am aware, as said before, if you've had no problems paying before then YOU can decide how to pay. But whatever you do, make sure it's NOT by direct debit! The CSA can then please themselves how much they take and you have no control over it. They should be able to give you an account number to send the money to for you to set up a standing order.

shell_542

The only thing I can think of is to try and complain to someone higher, if it would actually work, or contact your MP to see if having their backing would change something. It sounds totally wrong. If you're paying then there is no reason why the direct debit/standing order cannot continue. Why on earth should your employer have to mess about with a DEO just because the CSA say that their computer says NO?

Your ex has no need to push for a DEO if payments have been regular.