CSA Variation is crap!

MrAverage

Hi All,

I will begin by sharing my experience with the CSA and their total lack of understanding NRP outgoings & living costs & generally being in the real world.

My ex wife filed for CSA despite not allowing to see my kids for 3 years.She was in receipt of legal aid and nearly wiped me out financially to try and fight to see my kids.
They contacted me after I was allowed to see my kids (surprise) and I assisted where I could. They gave me their assessment which is £248 per month.

In addition my ex wants £90 per month for arrears even though she would not allow me to see my children at all.

I contacted the CSA after the initial assessment and they advised me to file for variation due to the distance the children are from me.
I explained I live 100 miles from them, so it works out 400 miles in all. Thats about £100 in fuel just to see my kids for a weekend.

I filed for variation but what a complete waste of time this debacle was. I even wrote to my MP who was as much use as a chocolate teapot.
Basically the CSA have said that because I can only afford one visit a month, it counts as 1 visit, end of. So the calculation for variation works out the journey costs me £1 in total. This is because they allow £15 travelling cost per week x4= £60. I argued the variation should be worked on 1 visit at £15, giving me back £45 from her maintenance.
I got nowhere with this. It would be fairer if the PWC was spending this money on the kids but I know she aint. The kids have charity shop clothes and it sickens me because my hands feel tied.

Anyone else had this kind of treatment regarding variations etc from CSA?

Dont get me wrong, I have always supported the CSA but sometimes I question their morals.

Blackpool_Saver

It is very bad I agree, but you are getting seeing your children mixed up with paying for them, it almost sounds like renting your time with them.

Why did your marriage end? why did she not allow you to see them?

MrAverage

She found another man, so kicked me out of the house. Then 20 days later she moved him in.
She refused point blank to let me see the kids, that reason i dont know, but was glad when the eldest child asked to see me.

karenx

You have to pay arrears regardless if you have seen your kids or not. Maintenance payments and seeing your children are 2 totally different things

Blackpool_Saver

So WHY did she find another man?
Were you at fault in any way at all ?

Blackpool_Saver

let me put it this way then, suppose one of your kids said Dad, Mum says she can't get me things I need for school, you say well son I am not paying her because she wont let me see you, do you think the child would not still need the school things?

missbunbury

I can understand your frustration, but variations, like child support itself, are worked out according to a strict formula laid down by law. The CSA just apply the law, they don't make it, and they only apply the law when asked to do so (now, anyway) by one of the parents. The only time they can consider outgoings is under a variation for certain reasons like contact costs, which they've already done for you. It sounds to me like your case was done properly, so it's the law you're angry with, not the CSA.

speedster

Blackpool_Saver wrote: »

So WHY did she find another man?
Were you at fault in any way at all ?

why the spanish inquisition? none of that is any of our business.

i don't suppose you'd appreciate the same treatment, would you?

and statistically speaking abot 65% of divorces are caused by womens inability to keep their legs closed.

95% of women get to keep the children, and normally it's the genuine nrp's who come to places like these to get help. so do the math.

Kimitatsu

One day (she says in hope) you lot will learn to be nice to each other :think:

The OP has come on here to ask about a variation to his order NOT to discuss the terms of his divorce nor why he was divorced. Please be nice to all money savers and bear in mind it takes 2 to make or break a marriage.

OP maintenance and contact are not linked and so if you have arrears then your ex is entitled to that money regardless of whether you see them or not. As has been said the CSA is only applting the rules, if you are not happy with the variation then appeal the decision and ask for it to be backdated from the time that you informed them. We have a variation due to distance travelled to work place but ours had to be over 150 miles a week travelled and then the variation kicked in - it may be that is what is penalising you.

You could try asking Kellogs to look at it, or NACSA now do free assesment checks on the web for you.

kelloggs36

If you only do one visit, you will only get 1 trip considered for the variation. Secondly there is a £15 disregard, so the first £15 of this variation is ignored and you will get what is left. Have you asked what mileage rate they have allowed you?

MARBLES

Hi MrAverage,(:D)

Unfortunately, I do not have the answers you are looking for but.........(no-one shoot please!) I just wanted to say, regardless of how, why, when you and your wife went your seperate ways, fair play to you for trying your best to maintain contact with your children.