CSA might compensate me

Toto

I have just spoken to a really nice lady in the CSA complaints department. I made a formal complaint a few weeks ago.

She is going through my paperwork and said she is determined that I will be compensated for the 13 year delay in the CSA sorting out my child support. Long story short but a whole series of CSA mess ups has meant that my case hasn't been enforced because my ex is self employed and was ignoring them. I first had a court order in 1991 set at £25 per week but the ex never paid. Then the CSA were born in 1993 and I was advised by the courts to go to them for an assessment. So, in 1993 I was assessed but the ex ignored every letter they sent and the CSA never bothered to do a thing. In around 1997 they wrote to me and said as I was not on benefits they would no longer chase the ex for any maintenance.

I have over the years written letter upon letter but was always told there was little they could do. My ex is a very wealthy man but avoids paying taxes and all sorts by dealing in cash. It seems it was only when another woman made a CSA claim against him my paperwork got dragged through too.

So, the lady I spoke to today said that she will be making a case to have the entire 13 years backdated plus interest (I damned well hope that this money is charged to him and not the tax payer)

I won't get my hopes up though, but it's nice to dream even for a little while. If I did get the compensation it would mean my son could go to college without having student loans. His father did nothing at all to provide for his childhood, so the least he can do is make sure DS has a good start to his adult life.

wigginsmum

13 years! Hope it all works out for you and your son

Floss

Sounds like you had the same woman I did - some of them are really good and a bit like a rottweiler because they won't let go!

I wouldn't hold your breath for any compensation - I didn't receive any even though the CSA admitted they had made mistakes in 2000 by assuming my ex was single & paid all the bills himself - even though I told them at the time & proved it later with solicitors letters from the divorce. And i had written evidence from their printed files (which you can request in writing, but it takes a while).

However, I DID get the claim backdated - and even though he earns the same now as 2000, he pays almost as much for 1 child now as he did for 2 then, because he's paying old arrears! AND i got £2500 lump sum for te earlier years!

Read up on their payment terms - if it goes to deduction of wages or court orders, it can be up to 3 or even 4 months after they get paid when you get the money.

Will keep my fingers crossed for a good result for you

southernscouser

Toto, no offence or anything but I think you should be more patient. I mean it's only been 13 years! :rolleyes: :eek:

That is bloody ridiculous! Hope they give you interest aswell!

Toto

I know SS, I was a bit concerned though because I had heard stories of them being a little slow.:D :rotfl:

I am sure they will sort it one day, it will be a nice top up to my son's old age pension probably.

I certainly won't get my hopes up, it's nice to imagine just for a little while that we could have a little windfall. I feel more sad that he has gone on to have other kids and he can't be bothered to be a father to them either, but that's a whole other can of worms.

Sensemaya

Toto
I once spoke to a lady who helped me a lot.Ended up with a four figure sum.

However,you need to make a complaint through your MP.You will receive a bog standard "Sorry" from the CEO...I reckon he just signs it. And then...

You get in contact through your MP with the Parliamentary Omsbudman.

http://www.ombudsman.org.uk/

I happened to get a "top up" on the money already awarded to me...yep...they had messed that up too.. and some advance payments! It will be worth your while. Please bypass ICE...the PO are,very,very thorough and you see in writing just how bad the CSA are.Nice to show your son too.

I am really pleased for you and your son. 13 years is disgusting.

The CSA can move quick if they are pushed.

Good Luck and please let us know what happens.

Sensemaya

Just tried to post again and something strange happened. Test...

Please ignore top bit.

http://www.csa.gov.uk/new/advisors/engw/

The link is CS2.I think you will migrated over to this because of the other case.

As your ex is self employed,historically the CSA have great difficulty in getting any dosh if the ex is non-compliant. I,and many others,are still owed a lot in arrears...interest free too.

I presume the CSA have not taken any enforcement action. This should change now...but it will take a long time. Stay strong. Keep in touch with this woman who is helping you...you have her direct dial phone number? Only deal with her.

The CSA do have the power to contact the IR direct and ask the IR to provide your ex's self assessment forms. I would ask them to do this going right back to the 13 years.

Normal compo is usually 50 quid. But I think you will be in for a big wad.

Toto

Thanks for that, I'm expecting a call back on the 20th. At this stage the only weekly amount they have assesed is a penalty of £103 per week, but this is nonsense. Since then I believe the ex has sent in some paperwork (probably showing minimum income for tax purposes). So, I don't know what payments should be, so no idea what backdated amounts should be either. It's all very confusing. But, I will make a complaint via the MP, do I wait until I have finished with the complaints procedure at the CSA or do I do it now?

I will keep you updated.

Sensemaya

Mmmmm...phone call next Thurs! I would wait and see what she comes up with.Then ask her to contact the IR direct for self assessment form.

It is going to be extremely complicated as they don't appear to have any information on your ex at all and they are going to have to work out the calculations.They often get this wrong,so it is imperative you get your MP involved now.

In the meantime start to gen up on the CSA as much as you can. ...I used to have special CSA days..book an appointment at your MP's surgery and go armed with a letter of complaint to be sent via your MP to CEO office.Ask your MP to send a complaint letter too.

I would advise you that ALL correspondence now goes via MP. This will make them move more quickly.

Finally make friends with the MP's assistant.You will be dealing with them as they do the groundwork.

Don't worry about complaining. The way they have just brushed your case aside is disgraceful.

Toto

Thanks very much for that, I will book at the MPs surgery and start getting some paperwork together.

jaja_3

Just wanted to say hi, from another one trying to get money from self employed nrp and failing miserably.

Valuable advice there SS, will put some into practice myself, I think Friday will be my CSA day:D

Look forward to hearing how you get on Toto
best of luck

jaja