Child Maintenance (CSA) questions (merged)

asandwhen

Ok we have had problems with the csa for the last 3 years - we pay £200 per month for my wifes 2 children that live with Dad - we are on the new system so they just take my wifes wages - we have the kids every weekend without fail so get some money off for this - We worked out 2 years ago that the csa had worked out my wifes wages wrong and were charging too much so we phoned them every month since then trying to get it sorted out - this has never been sorted - My wifes ex is on income support so he doesnt get any of the money we pay directly it just goes to pay his benefits.

Now yesterday my wife had a phone call from the CSA telling her to STOP paying immediately. When asked why she replied that her ex had told them in 2004 that they have a private arraingement (i didnt think you could do this if he was on benefits) it has taken them this long to realise we were still paying - the only thing is we dont have a private arraingement apart from the fact that we buy all there clothes and school stuff but we do that ontop of paying the csa - are csa making a mistake? we phoned them back and spoke to a chap who is saying the same thing - they are going to put the over payment back into our bank but we are worried as we know what they are like.

any help would be very much appreciated.