Case closed! Why?

lorenza

I'll try and keep to the point and not waffle.
Hopefully somebody can help.

I applied to the CSA last October 2008. Filled in a paper application.
Sent all the info on NRP - Address he claimed he lived at(flat he owned), Address he actually lived at (girlfriends), works address, national insurance number.

I heard nothing until February. A lady rang me and asked some questions about NRP. I gave her details that had changed, his flat was repossessed but he was still living at girlfriends anyway. She asked if I wanted to continue with the case, I said yes.

Then I heard nothing.
I tried to contact CSA a couple of times but to no avail.
Til yesterday, I felt determined and would persevere with my calls. I finally spoke to someone who said my case had been closed in June. He eventually said that what had probably happened is that as I had filled in a paper application it had not been registered by 'my case worker' when files were moved. As it was not registered the computer had has seen that it had not been worked on for some time and closed it.

He then said that i should email in a complaint as i may get compensation for money that i should have received but didn't.

He then took all the details again (not difficult as they are all still the same) and said my new claim will start when 'contact is made'.

So my question is....
How can they just close my case when NRP is so easy to find.?
What should I do now?
How do I write a letter of complaint, I'm really not good at that sort of letter?
Where do I send my letter/email?

Thank you to anybody who can help.

DUTR

Good Luck .

DX2

I would be writing a complaint letter or getting my MP involved. The CSA messed up simple as and I would be making sure that they don't re start the claim from today but from when you initally started the process.

DUTR

DX2 wrote: »

I would be writing a complaint letter or getting my MP involved. The CSA messed up simple as and I would be making sure that they don't re start the claim from today but from when you initally started the process.

What puzzles me most in the OP, is that it appears they are still not receiving any CS currently, is that not more important than why and how things got messed up in the past? Sort out the now 1st and worry about yesterday at some other time.

DX2

DUTR wrote: »

What puzzles me most in the OP, is that it appears they are still not receiving any CS currently, is that not more important than why and how things got messed up in the past? Sort out the now 1st and worry about yesterday at some other time.

If the CSA think they can get away with putting it on the back burner then they will, strike whilst the iron is hot is my opinion.

lorenza

DUTR What puzzles me most in the OP, is that it appears they are still not receiving any CS currently, is that not more important than why and how things got messed up in the past? Sort out the now 1st and worry about yesterday at some other time.

I am not receiving any CSA at the moment because I only found out yesterday that my case had been closed. So it has been open since yesterday. Once contact has been made with NRP then I should be due some money. According to the man on the phone i will only be due money from 'the day contact is made'.

My problem is that through no fault of mine my case was closed without being acted on and i should get compensation for that for the money that i would have got.

DUTR

lorenza wrote: »

I am not receiving any CSA at the moment because I only found out yesterday that my case had been closed. So it has been open since yesterday. Once contact has been made with NRP then I should be due some money. According to the man on the phone i will only be due money from 'the day contact is made'.

My problem is that through no fault of mine my case was closed without being acted on and i should get compensation for that for the money that i would have got.

In practice you won't get anything over the standard payout £50 or £100, but until CS is started to be received you won't get anything, as you get monies once the NRP starts paying CS, hence why i say deal with the now and worry about yesterday at another time.

Sensemaya

This happened to me years ago. I ended up with the monies I should have received plus interest and compo.

You must go through your MP and complain.

Check out this link:

http://www.dwp.gov.uk/publications/specialist-guides/financial-redress/

PlayingHardball

Hiya, here is something else to help you in your complaint. Because the CSA didn't actually write to you June to say your case was closed, they acted incorrectly. What they should have done is write to you to say 'case closed' and then you would have had a 30 day opportunity to appeal their decision.

This is my understanding anyway, and what I've been told by a knowledgable lady in parliatmentary resolution team.

I would certainly do what I did and get your MP involved. He/She will contact the CSA on your behalf and their mistakes will need to be highlighed and answered for.

borders_dude

lorenza wrote: »

...

Then I heard nothing.
I tried to contact CSA a couple of times but to no avail.
Til yesterday, I felt determined and would persevere with my calls. I finally spoke to someone who said my case had been closed in June.

...

How do you mean to no avail? Did nobody answer the phone? Or did you just hang up when you go bored of waiting? Odd that you couldnt get an answer!

kelloggs36

Playinghardball is correct - they should have written to you advising that the case was closed and given you the right of appeal. You need to get back to them asking if they did send you notification, and when and where it was sent.