Case Reviews on CS1

MIKEtheBIKE_2

My case started in 1997 and I had 2 yearly Periodical Reviews. I work freelance and my wages have always fluctuated wildly. I am a NRP.

I had an assessment in 2000 which was not looked at again for 8 years. The CSA stopped doing Periodical Reviews around 2000/2001 - this is a sketchy area of law, I've looked into it very deeply.

My questions are:
What does the Decision Makers Guide say about how often a case should be reviewed (less than 8 years I'll bet)

And if I signed on for JSA (which I have , 3 times) should this automatically trigger a CSA review? If so, what is the mechanism that makes this happen?

borders_dude

It is worth remembering that you need to inform the CSA of any changes in circumstances at any time.

As you are on the old rules (I cannot comment on things relating to the new rules) I know that you need to report changes to your income and likewsise you should report changes to you rent/mortgage and any other aspect that was taken into account doing your assessment. There is no need to wait for any kind of review as you are obligated to notify them of these changes.

kelloggs36

They never did them really - not in the way that they should have done because of the sheer volume of work: it was impossible to keep on top of it. There was never anything stopping either party requesting a review of the case and when a person claims JSA it does not automatically trigger a review. You will have to notify them at the time it happens.

woody01

It is worth remembering that you need to inform the CSA of any changes in circumstances at any time

I have asked this and the answer was no you don't.

Donedoingdebt

borders_dude wrote: »

It is worth remembering that you need to inform the CSA of any changes in circumstances at any time.

As you are on the old rules (I cannot comment on things relating to the new rules) I know that you need to report changes to your income and likewsise you should report changes to you rent/mortgage and any other aspect that was taken into account doing your assessment. There is no need to wait for any kind of review as you are obligated to notify them of these changes.

You are not obligated to inform the CSA of any changes apart from address changes or change of employer if on a DEO unless requested to supply that information by the CSA.

Any arrears will only accrue from the date of the request for information & will not be backdated before that date to the actual previous date of any changes that have occured.

kelloggs36

woody01 wrote: »

I have asked this and the answer was no you don't.

No you don't, but if you want them to take changes of circumstances into account then you do! They cannot backdate to a date prior to when you notified them.

borders_dude

Donedoingdebt wrote: »

You are not obligated to inform the CSA of any changes apart from address changes or change of employer if on a DEO unless requested to supply that information by the CSA.

Any arrears will only accrue from the date of the request for information & will not be backdated before that date to the actual previous date of any changes that have occured.

Interesting, so if my income goes up by say £300 a month, this would obviously affect the figures used for my CSA 1 assessment to work out my protected income etc; I dont actually have to tell them?

Donedoingdebt

You don't have to tell them unless requested to do so.

However, as kelloggs pointed out, if the change in circumstances would be advantageous to you regarding the amount you would have to pay, then notify the CSA straight away as any changes, good or bad, cannot be backdated.

If they request information during a reassessment/revision etc, then all up to date circumstances have to be notified.

kelloggs36

borders_dude wrote: »

Interesting, so if my income goes up by say £300 a month, this would obviously affect the figures used for my CSA 1 assessment to work out my protected income etc; I dont actually have to tell them?

No, but if they ask you for it, then you are obliged to tell them.

borders_dude

kelloggs36 wrote: »

No, but if they ask you for it, then you are obliged to tell them.

Excellent news.

Debicj

if the change in circumstances would be advantageous to you regarding the amount you would have to pay, then notify the CSA straight away as any changes, good or bad, cannot be backdated

This is not always true. It should be the case, but if it goes to appeal it can be overruled. My ex 'forgot' to tell the CSA that he had gone on to have two more children until they were a year old. This would have resulted in a NIL assessment for him. When the CSA didn't backdate the reassessment he appealed. The result was that the CSA had to backdate the assessment even though it apparently went against all rules and regulations! I tried to appeal against this decision but was unsuccessful.

However, I do agree that it is best if all changes in circumstances are reported as and when they occur to save any confusion.