OMG I am fuming!!! Please help

izzybusy23

Hi

I contacted the CSA 6 weeks ago regarding my ex. He said that they had contacted him and had told him how much he needed to pay and that was two weeks ago.

I contacted them again today as I have heard nothing.. to which they said they have only got it sorted out today (due to him having a linked case) and that it will only start from today!!!! No backpayments either so I won't get any money now until June. Thats two months he hasn't paid me any money for his daughter.

Is this right.. why am I not entitled to backpayments? Surely it must start on the day I contacted the CSA and not be penalised for their incompetence to take 6 weeks to get the case up and running.

shell_542

It actually should start from the day they either talk to the NRP on the phone or send a first letter to a confident address ... so the fact your ex said they spoke to him 2 weeks ago, would mean it would start from then (if that was the first contact). What explanation did the CSA give for the payments only starting from today?

izzybusy23

shell_542 wrote: »

It actually should start from the day they either talk to the NRP on the phone or send a first letter to a confident address ... so the fact your ex said they spoke to him 2 weeks ago, would mean it would start from then (if that was the first contact). What explanation did the CSA give for the payments only starting from today?

I can't remember, I was so cross and it now seems blurred so may have to phone them again tonight to confirm it when I have calmed down.

I believe payments will only start today due to complications of the linked case; him having another child who he hasn't paid CSA to in over 5 years old. Because of that and it taking so long; but I have kept the text from my ex to say he had received a letter from the CSA and that was on 28th April. So surely at the very least they have to backdate to then?

shell_542

I would ring back or maybe even write to them (recorded delivery) asking why it's only starting today when you have proof your ex received a letter from them on that date. Personally I would call and then follow up with a letter. Some people prefer not to call them at all, but I think it's best to get the ball rolling with a phone call first. Knowing what their staff can be like, you may well get a different answer the next time you call. Whatever they tell you, ask them to confirm it in writing so you have evidence.

Write everything down too whilst you're on the phone.

febe

if he has another case(ie pays for other child/ren ) then case will start from the week the calculation is done irrespective of when they contacted him . hth

iluvfreebies

The date they have used is correct
when a nrp already pays maintenance for another child the new case will be brought in line with the day of initial assessment in the old case

The reason for this is that the nrp will have been charged at the old rate for the existing case already and asking him to pay for the new case for the same period would result in him being charged at a higher rate

If the case had taken more than 12 weeks to set up then you could have asked for compensation but as it was set up within the timescales allowed for a new assessment unfortunately there isn't anything can be done about it.

izzybusy23

febe wrote: »

if he has another case(ie pays for other child/ren ) then case will start from the week the calculation is done irrespective of when they contacted him . hth

Hi - thanks.

Yeah I've just phoned them back; I am so angry really because his first child is nothing to do with me but we are getting penalised for it. Another month where is has an extra £400 in his pay packet that he doesn't have to pay out and another month where I am £200 short and struggling to pay the bills.

izzybusy23

i!!!!!!!!!!! wrote: »

The date they have used is correct
when a nrp already pays maintenance for another child the new case will be brought in line with the day of initial assessment in the old case

The reason for this is that the nrp will have been charged at the old rate for the existing case already and asking him to pay for the new case for the same period would result in him being charged at a higher rate

If the case had taken more than 12 weeks to set up then you could have asked for compensation but as it was set up within the timescales allowed for a new assessment unfortunately there isn't anything can be done about it.

The amazing thing though is that he hasn't paid any CSA to his first child for a number of years due to being given a nil assessment and he never updated his circumstances; so you would had thought it would had been straight forward to sort out his assessment when he wasn't paying anything to either child. I just feel a bit let down that I haven't had any money for 2 months where he has been 'allowed' to keep his so called maintenance money to spend willy nilly.

Nothing I can do about it. Thanks for all your replies.

kelloggs36

febe wrote: »

if he has another case(ie pays for other child/ren ) then case will start from the week the calculation is done irrespective of when they contacted him . hth

This is correct - he will have a future effective date due to the linked case. Had he no other case, then liability would have been from the date they contacted him in the first instance.