Child Maintenance overpayment

Salmanda

I have just had a call from Child Maintence to tell me I owe them over £800 as they have overpaid me. My daughters father hasn't paid any maintenance since she was 3 years old.
Then I recieved child maintenance from the csa when my daughter left school to attend college ( even though I applied many years before)
The payments continued until she turned 22 ( she is in full time education at uni)
Surely I can't possibly owe them money. They have had all the correct information from me as regards my daughter, I don't really see how I can owe them. Has anyone had a similar problem ?
I don't know what to do, I simply do not have the money

karenx

You say your daughters father has never paid any money. What do you think that child maintenance through the csa was? Money taken from him to pay you.
When did you stop recieving child benefit for your daughter? As this is when you should of informed CSA so they can stop the payments.

Kimitatsu

Salmanda wrote: »

I have just had a call from Child Maintence to tell me I owe them over £800 as they have overpaid me. My daughters father hasn't paid any maintenance since she was 3 years old.
Then I recieved child maintenance from the csa when my daughter left school to attend college ( even though I applied many years before)
The payments continued until she turned 22 ( she is in full time education at uni)
Surely I can't possibly owe them money. They have had all the correct information from me as regards my daughter, I don't really see how I can owe them. Has anyone had a similar problem ?
I don't know what to do, I simply do not have the money

You need to get a statement of account - the likelihood is that the money you recieved until she was 22 was arrears from the time he was liable for her maintenance until she went to University.

If you ask for a breakdown of payments then you will be able to see if anything is wong and amend it. Try not to worry as there are many people on this site who have had the same issue both PWC and NRP. You might want to get your MP on side too - they usually have a bit more clout.

Kimitatsu

karenx wrote: »

You say your daughters father has never paid any money. What do you think that child maintenance through the csa was? Money taken from him to pay you.
When did you stop recieving child benefit for your daughter? As this is when you should of informed CSA so they can stop the payments.

I think thats fairly uncalled for, the OP came on here to ask for advice and is patently fairly distressed.

Please be nice to all money savers

Salmanda

I was shocked and probably didn't explain properly. My ex only started to pay after many years of me chasing the CSA. I had thought that the payments made to me after my daughters 21st were arrears.
I'm just stunned that they want money back when infact I've only ever had about 4 years of payments. I should have had at least 15 years.

To the person who gave me good advice, thank you very much. I'm new on here and your reply helped calm me down. Thanks

markeymark

you really need to get an account breakdon as kitamusu mentioned, this will make what is owed in arrears much clearer to you, when did you first contact the csa? as this will be when your ex will be liable for paying maintenance from

you will find many members on here willing to help you, so dont worry

DUTR

Kimitatsu wrote: »

I think thats fairly uncalled for, the OP came on here to ask for advice and is patently fairly distressed.

Please be nice to all money savers

Although I saw this when it was 1st posted, I cannot see where Karenx 's post is harsh or more to the point incorrect?
As we do not know the circumstance of the OP NRP he may have been on a nil assesment for a time, I suppose though the same sanctions that can be used for the NRP can be also used to recover over payment :eek:

speedster

even in FT ed child maintainence ceases at 19 doesn't it?

anyway, just tell them to take the £800 off the arrears biult up over the 15 years or so.

i cant see them taking any action against you, you are a pwc, and i don't think their draconian powers apply to you.

also, defo get your mp on the case.

kingfisherblue

Although CM ceases at 19, even if in full time education, any arrears still have to be paid - that's what I was told last year when I asked about my daughter leaving education.

kelloggs36

It may be that they have not applied the arrears properly.

LizzieS_2

speedster wrote: »

i cant see them taking any action against you, you are a pwc, and i don't think their draconian powers apply to you.

We agree on something!!!!

A pwc simply gets a letter stating the amount calculated and date applicable from. Then the schedules are produced annually with no total amount still owed.

It is even more complicated when there are numerous changes to assessed amount and arrears due/actually collected.

When arrears are paid over several years, it is not easy to spot you are overpaid...............hence why it it is easier for a pwc to dispute an overpayment as not their fault.