CSA Assessment Info Requested

hbslc

They've made an assessment, but haven't told me how. Should I be requesting information on what they've based their assessment on?

Before they assessed me I received a call out of the blue asking me to confirm my income in 2004/2005. I couldn't respond as I was away from home & didn't have my records with me. I asked them to write to me but received nothing other than a demand for arrears or legal action. I have since written to them asking for assessment information. But should I?

Since Oct 2009 I have been earning significantly more than I think they have based their assessment on. I lose this well paid job on 31st May 2010.

I recall reading a forum post saying don't offer information that will increase the arrears / maintenance amount. So should I be honest with them and tell them about this job, but then tell them I've lost it?

I'm not being difficult. I already pay voluntary maintenance, just working out best way of dealing with CSA.

markeymark

did they ask for payslips?

bdt1

Ask for breakdown of calculation - in writing recorded delivery of course! I received several assessments based on what 1 CSA Official interpreted as my earnings, it did also in fact include child benefit for 4 children in my household, my wife's reimbursed company expenses each month, an insurance payout in my wife's name only, and all credits in my business account taken as profitable income and not as my tax returns show (business expenses), they also said there are no children inmy household(there are 4) so no allowance there! I do not have a partner (been married for 12 years, living together for 16) and that my mortgage was a house I hadn't lived infor many many years despite my evidence I had sent CSA new mortgage payments. Then 34k arrears they slapped on me, they got LO, CCJ and interim charge on our family home, so Tribunal to unpick it all next month.

Inform then next month in writing with evidence you are no longer employed let them sort the rest out

hbslc

They did ask for payslips in Sept 2009, which were duly sent. They then called in March 2010 to confirm my income in 2004/05.

So should I volunteer information that will increase my arrears, or just accept the arrears as calculated? Should I volunteer information that will increase my current assessment / ongoing maintenance? Etc...

hbslc

I have recieved an account breakdown from CSA. I have to say my initial thoughts are that it isn't really an account breakdown. But hey ho.

However, it does raise the following questions:
1) The maintenance due is based on a default assessment. The covering letter suggests that this needs to be converted into a Maintenance Calculation. Elsewhere I've read that CSA cannot do this respectively, but i'm not convinced. Can they and must they? Can I avoid this?

2) As of 31st May I have lost a well paid job, which CSA do not yet know about. If they can respectively convert a default assessment into a maintenance assessment THEN they will do. I signed on yesterday (1st June), and have my first jobseekers interview tomorrow (3rd June). Do I tell the CSA that I'm now unemployed, and that I had the well paid job?

3) Related to both 1 & 2. Do I inform CSA of information that they have not requested or do I just respond to their requests for information?

Thanks

bdt1

If you have an interim assessment, this can be converted to a full maintenance assessment, but you need to clarify what information/evidence CSA require from you in order to do the conversion, any alteration will be corrected and then applied back to the date of the interim assessment.

You need to report a change of circumstances regarding the loss of your jo, do so in writing and send recorded delivery, keep copies of everything and print off the Royal Mail arcode as proof they received it.

In order to be sure about the assessments/information being correct you could request your Data Protection File, NACSA have a template and it will cost £10 for this, but usually well worth it.

hbslc

Thanks bdt1. I've already requested my data protection file.

I'll write to inform them of my change of circumstances, namely that I am now receiving Jobseekers Allowance.

pd001

hbslc wrote: »

Thanks bdt1. I've already requested my data protection file.

I'll write to inform them of my change of circumstances, namely that I am now receiving Jobseekers Allowance.

Agree with bdt1...

Whatever you do.....DO NOT deal with them on the phone. Stick to letters sent by recorded delivery.
It will take longer but at least you will have a paper trail.

They may, as they often did in my case, tell you that they WILL attempt contact by telephone.
Dont let this put you off....just dont speak to them. Dont be rude..just put the phone down and dont acknowledge them when they introduce themselves.

hth

TrippyT

I have been paying for 2 children when I should have been paying for 1, since 2008. I am told I have a stuck case. There seems to be a reluctance to advance these cases. Meanwhile it makles the difference to me between being able to afford rent on a decent property or stay in the dump I'm in.

hbslc

I'm busy writing a letter to CSA, and have the following thoughts. Any help would be great.

1) I'm still on Job Seekers Allowance, they've re-assessed and are taking £5 a week deduction from my JSA. This re-assessment starts from a date after my JSA started, should it not start on the same date?

2) The CSA letter I'm responding to is dated May 2010 and states:
"The Agency is now bringing your case up to-date"
"You have a default maintenance decision in place effective from Nov 04 calculated in April 05"
"Please forward payslips covering Nov 2004"
"Please clarify who you were working for in Nov 2004"
"A variation application cannot be considered until the Default Maintenance Decision is converted to a Maintenance Calculation".
"Once I recieve the relevant information I will advise you of the Maintenance Calculations"

Does this mean that once they recieve the payslips for Nov 2004 the default maintenance decision will be converted into a maintenance calculation? And that the arrears amount could be more?

Seperately my ex-partners legal team have suggested they are willing to remove CSA if we agree seperate voluntary maintenance. Is this possible? Is this a good idea?

Thanks

PlayingHardball

I can't help I'm afraid, but I am wondering why they are asking for your income from 2004/2005?

When did the CSA first get involved?