Another CSA Arrears question!!

Bluetube

The CSA kindly dropped me a line yesterday (for the first time in 6 years) just to let me know that I owe 25K and that I can pay by credit card should I wish LMAO (I don't even have one!)

I'm sure that I do owe approximately this much, my case was long and varied between 2000 - 2004 when I gave up trying to fight with them. Despite having 2 of my own resident children and a step-child, they repeatedly refused to re-assess me and were taking 30% of my wage I simply could not afford it. I wanted to be assessed on CS2 as I don't own a house and CS2 would take into account my step-child for whom we received nothing.

I gave up and halved the payments. I haven't heard a thing since.

I had another child in 2009 so now have 4 resident children. I have written a reply to them requesting reassessment, a breakdown of how debt accrued, and advice on how I can pay them?

I do not earn alot of money and we do receive WFTC, don't own a house and have no assets. My question is , has anyone heard of them doing a sort of 10 year repayment plan? My family can not survive on 60% of my wage if they take 40%, the reason why I stopped paying the full amount of maintenance was because it was too much etc etc. If we haved to be DEO'd will they take into account my kids, I am entitled to legal aid should I get a solicitor?

Any advice would be gratefully received (except finger wagging for burying head in sand:))

For PWC out there who think this seems a bit cold - I respect the PWC but do not know her, and have never met my non-resident child (DNA test was taken). I have never missed a monthly payment in 10 years and accept financial responsibility, but I wanted my own family as well.

blimey40

First step would be asking for your data protection files (details at top of this page) doubt the 25k can be accrued in 4 or so years unless you are earning mega money.

That kind of figure would put you on about 50k a year

They can and will take 40% off a DEO if you do not comply

AnxiousMum

For your step child who you receive nothing for - has your wife applied for CSA for that child? I don't think they will take into account the fact that you receive nothing for the child - as the option is there for her to take up as well. You're trying to fulfill your obligation to your child, surely the step child's father should do the same thing?

borders_dude

You wanted to be reassessed under new rules?

You will find that most NRPs under old rules would benefit from being assessed using the new rules but there are very limited circumstances in which that can happen!

Bluetube

AnxiousMum wrote: »

For your step child who you receive nothing for - has your wife applied for CSA for that child? I don't think they will take into account the fact that you receive nothing for the child - as the option is there for her to take up as well. You're trying to fulfill your obligation to your child, surely the step child's father should do the same thing?

Yes my wife tried for about 3 years with the CSA, at first she wasn't a priority because she was working, then they couldn't find his tax details etc her ex tried everything in the book not to pay a penny and got away with it. For instance he never gave them the correct NI number, then in 2006 he left the country...so I support my step-child always have and always will and don't mind a bit, just want the CSA to take it into consideration.

Kimitatsu

Hi and welcome to the boards.

Have you informed the CSA of your newest addition to the family? The onus is on you to inform them of any changes to your circumstances so you need to do that by recorded delivery letter as soon as possible if this has not been done already.

I am confused as to why your step child is not being taken into account - there is an allowance for children resident within the family whether they are your natural children or not. As has been said you need to get your files under the data protection act, becuase if they are refusing to act on the correct information then you have a case for maladministration.

As for being moved from CS1 to CS2 you have pretty much no chance. Like you we were assessed under CS1 but have never migrated to CS2 even though it would have had a huge impact on our liability. You can however check that your assessment is correct by contacting NACSA who will check the assessment and let you know what you should be paying.

Unfortunately as to the 40% they can take it, unless you can show that it would put your current family in exceptional financial hardship. Although the current steer is for all arrears to be cleared within 24 months, it is not the law and so there can be some flexibility within that, if you are finding that the CSA will not budge then I suggest that you contact your MP.

kelloggs36

You say you don't own a house, but do you pay rent? If you don't have any housing costs this will go some way to explaining why the payments are so high. You say they haven't taken your natural children into account - how sure are you about this? The rate you get as allowances will depend on whether your partner works or not - if she does you will only get half the child allowance, which won't make a huge difference to your assessment. Your step children are taken into account in the protected income part of the calculation - this may or may not have an impact on the amount you pay, depending on what the disposable income of the household is. If your partner has refused previously to give her details, you won't get a protected income at all and will explain why no allowances have been given at all in respect of your step children.

kelloggs36

you should have got your MP involved when they refused to do a new assessment - it may have meant that it made no difference, in which case they would not have done it. If you want to PM me with income etc I can give a rough idea as to what you would be expected to pay. Do you get a housing allowance?

missmontana

Have you considered adopting your step child? Then that would make a difference to the assessment too wouldn't it?

Are you in the forces?

AnxiousMum

Bluetube wrote: »

Yes my wife tried for about 3 years with the CSA, at first she wasn't a priority because she was working, then they couldn't find his tax details etc her ex tried everything in the book not to pay a penny and got away with it. For instance he never gave them the correct NI number, then in 2006 he left the country...so I support my step-child always have and always will and don't mind a bit, just want the CSA to take it into consideration.

You don't mind supporting your step child, and you will continue to do it - I applaud you - but when you are forking out a bunch of your income, it's only fair to you, your wife, and your children and step child that you also get coming in what's due to your family.

Depending on the country the parent has moved to - you may be able to apply using the REMO process - a whole lot less messy than CSA, and alot quicker to get sorted out as well. What country did they move to?

Kimitatsu

Bluetube

NACSA will check your assesment for nothing (although if kellogs is willing to do it its probably quicker - just didnt want to volunteer your services again K )

If you look on the LHS of the page then you will find assessments in there, they will check it for nothing and give you basic advice on it so you shouldnt need to pay out the subscription just yet.