Can they ask for arrears?

**Patty**

OH has had a letter this morning:rolleyes: stating that they have been informed there has been a change in our household circumstances ........(well, it is almost Hallow'een:o she had to surface sooner or later)

Yes, there has been a slight change due to OH moving to continental shifts as opposed to days/nights/afternoons. No worries there. No worries about any increase in payments.

However.......they are asking for wage details from July and August. Since it has taken them until the 27th october to write to us.....can they backdate any increases to July? Or does the *from the date they make contact with him* rule still apply?

He's on CSA2 ......and they made a monumnetal cockup with collecting the DDR earlier this year which has only been sorted last month.....which is why i am asking this (they sent the DD form to our bank without noting down the details.......OOPSIE):D

borders_dude

**Patty** wrote: »

OH has had a letter this morning:rolleyes: stating that they have been informed there has been a change in our household circumstances ........(well, it is almost Hallow'een:o she had to surface sooner or later)

Yes, there has been a slight change due to OH moving to continental shifts as opposed to days/nights/afternoons. No worries there. No worries about any increase in payments.

However.......they are asking for wage details from July and August. Since it has taken them until the 27th october to write to us.....can they backdate any increases to July? Or does the *from the date they make contact with him* rule still apply?

He's on CSA2 ......and they made a monumnetal cockup with collecting the DDR earlier this year which has only been sorted last month.....which is why i am asking this (they sent the DD form to our bank without noting down the details.......OOPSIE):D

Im a great believer in notifying the CSA of any change no matter how small.

(Im a compliant NRP)

If the NRPs income changes by less than 5% then the CSA dont have to change the payment amount.

chelleybelley

i have just posted on here last night they have done the same to us but going back to mar 23rd and told us 2 weeks ago getting us into 901 arrears and part of that they just added 167 for no reason but we are getting told we have to pay so yes looks like the only answer..

**Patty**

It will increase but only by a few pounds a week......TBH, it didn't cross my mind (or his) to tell them. Having been through a similar situation with my ex-husband before, i was told that it wasn't up to the NRP to inform the CSA of any change, it was upto the PWC to apply for re-assessment. Guess they changed the rules again Hey ho......


But, in all seriousness........how can you be liable for a debt/arrears you are not aware of? If they choose to take 3 months to tell you that the PWC has applied for re-assessment then surely, it is not your fault and you should not be held liable? If they were aware the PWC had asked for re-assessment in July, why wait until october to inform the NRP?

At the point of initial assessment, the CSA state that you can only be assessed from the date you become aware.....i.e. the date they contact the NRP.....not the date the PWC contacts them. Do the same rules not still apply?

Donedoingdebt

**Patty** wrote: »

At the point of initial assessment, the CSA state that you can only be assessed from the date you become aware.....i.e. the date they contact the NRP.....not the date the PWC contacts them. Do the same rules not still apply?

Unfortunately, the same rules do not apply for a reassessment as on an initial assessment. It is correct that any change in liability will be from the date the PWC contacted the CSA to request a reassessment.

This does tend to build up a couple of months arrears for NRPs & there seems not to be a thing we can do about it.

I don't know if they still do this now, but a few years ago, the CSA used to ring me soon after the PWC had contacted them to request reassessment, at least giving me time to put a bit extra away to cover the month or 2 that they took to process any changes.

**Patty**

Just an update in case anyone else has a similar problem:


I've spoken to them this morning and it does indeed seem that the arrears are applicable. :rolleyes: Personally, my opinion is that you shouldbn't be able to be held liable for something of which you are not aware but.....c'est la vie.


What's even more annoying is that they actually did have contact with OH in July this year, as the PWC had requested that he no longer paid her direct and for the CSA to collect the payments. (i don't care who we pay, as long as it IS paid with proof......funny though, how 5 years ago we asked for it to be collected by the CSA , she wanted paying direct :rolleyes:....how things change) but at NO point did they mention re-assessment.

Conclusion: They don't tell you anymore.;)

And the interesting bit now:

Because of their mistake with our DD mandate it seems that there is a chance we may not have to pay the arrears since it was *their clerical error* which has led to it dragging on for so long.:eek: What we do know, it that now we are aware of it, we need to put a bit extra aside to cover the payments from now until whenever they sort it all out.

Nursebooby

Just pay for for your children...

kelloggs36

I don't know of any situation where the NRP has not had to pay their arrears - even if it was CSA error.

**Patty**

Nursebooby wrote: »

Just pay for for your children...

Did you not read the opening post?

May i draw your attention, in particular, to the bit which reads:

No worries about any increase in payments.

And this bit, from the update:


now we are aware of it, we need to put a bit extra aside to cover the payments from now until whenever they sort it all out.


And incidently, I do pay for my children.....due to the fact that my Ex does not (the joys of being able to quit your job on a whim)

Donedoingdebt

**Patty** wrote: »

Did you not read the opening post?

May i draw your attention, in particular, to the bit which reads:

No worries about any increase in payments.

And this bit, from the update:


now we are aware of it, we need to put a bit extra aside to cover the payments from now until whenever they sort it all out.


And incidently, I do pay for my children.....due to the fact that my Ex does not (the joys of being able to quit your job on a whim)

Don't let the occasional, rude person put you off posting. For some, theirs is the right way & the only way regardless of others' circumstances.:rolleyes: