arrears help please

claire1234

just looking for some help regarding our arrears,

we have £1600 of arrears,
our monthly amount of regular maintenance is £108

we had letters from the csa saying that they wanted over £400 per month - this we could not afford,

i wrote a letter back saying that we could afford to spread the payment over 2 years and ive set up a standing order of £175.

today ive recieved a letter saying that the £175 has been rejected,
it says "this has been rejected because you have not advised of any circumstance that would allow you to repay the arrears of 2 years"

does anybody know what the above means as i really can only afford to pay this amount of the 2 years,

the children are now 15 and 16 (not sure if the eldest is going to college but has now finished school, only going back to do exmas)

any help appriciated,
thanks,

claire1234

just wanted to add

we are on csa 1 and the last time it was re-assesed was just before xmas,

thanks

kelloggs36

I would be querying why they are wanting it over a shorter period as their own guidelines suggest that they recover within 2 years - whilst they would like it over a shorter period there is nothing from their end which says that it cannot be over 2 years - does that make sense? This letter suggests that you need to have special circumstances to allow you to spread payments over 2 years which is not the case - I would call them back and say that you are aware that they require repayment over a max of 2 years which is what you have offered. You have a mortgage/rent etc to pay and cannot afford to pay more.

claire1234

hiya,

first thank you so much for your reply,

yes that does make sence i understand they want it back asap, just like every other company/debt collector i suppose,

any spare money i would send stright to them to get it paid off quicker,
do you think i should ring or should i stick to writing letters?
should i just say that we have a mortgage, a loan and a credit card to pay so cant afford to send them any more at the minute,

it says on the letter that the next step is a deductions of earnings order,

thanks,

kelloggs36

I would call them and back it up with a letter - providing you are offering to pay it off within the 2 year period, I really can't see what their problem is. If you get no joy, go straight to your MP to negotiate on your behalf.

stephlou

As the previous post has stated the aim is to gather arrears as quickly as possible and the guideline is within 2 years maximum.As such ring them and discuss - it is far easier to do that than try and negotiate by letter.By all means back up what is agreed by letter and if all else fails complain and ask that your offer is reconsidered.In the meantime pay the additonal amount to show that you mean what you say and that way whilst negotiating at least arrears will be on decrease plus your children will benefit.

claire1234

thank you both,

i rang them today and they were still really pushing for the money to be paid quicker, they asked if there was a reason for spreading the arrears over 24months and i said that we have a mortgage and loan, the lady was very nice but said that the csa is a priority (so basically wants money and not bothered about us paying our mortgage or loosing the house)

the lady on the phoned agreed to £175 for 6 months then will send out letter to see if we can pay more, she will be sending out letters tomorrow to confirm this.

thanks for your help on here at least it wont be on my mind too much tonight,

stephlou

providing you stick to what agreed I doubt you will hear again in 6months unless there is a change in circs .If you have a change or problem with meeting then ring them before they ring you and renegotiate Sleep well

claire1234

thank you,

between now and the 6 months i will shuffle everything around to send them as much as possible,

the only change i can think of is step-son (now 16 and left school only returning for exams), i am not sure if he will be going to college or anything,

thanks for your help,

markeymark

be aware of them, ive previously had 3 arrangements in place to pay off (alledged) arrears, they keep changing the goal post and continue to take whatever they like from my DEO, have tried to get out of a DEO so I can control my payments at the agreed rate but they will not listen

good luck

Loopy_Girl

claire1234 wrote: »

thank you both,

i rang them today and they were still really pushing for the money to be paid quicker, they asked if there was a reason for spreading the arrears over 24months and i said that we have a mortgage and loan, the lady was very nice but said that the csa is a priority (so basically wants money and not bothered about us paying our mortgage or loosing the house)

I think the lady was referring to your loan as oppose to payment of your mortgage. Mortgage/rent are always priority debts.

Payments to loans are not considered to take precedent over child maintenance payments.