CAN CSA deduct money from wages

Crazychik

Just a question here peeps, not sure if its the right place.

My partner has paid CSA for his son for the last 6yrs, regulary. However, they started to take the direct debit payment out a couple of days earlier than it was due, leaving OH over drawn and face bank charges.
He had to cancel the DD to avoid further charges (this happened over 3 months)

Every month between January and October 2010, he rang every month, not only to make the payment over the phone, but to also request for the DD mandate to be set up again.....to no avail.

He last spoke with them end of Oct, and he was promised a call back, which never happened. Now, today he receives a final payment of arrears for the last 3 months, and if no money is paid in 5 days, they will take 40% from his wages end of January.

I've heard they can do this, providing you have agreed - but surely they have to allow him sufficient funds not only to pay his way but also to live too???

He has offered a re-payment plan paying double for the next 3 months to clear the arrears, but they're not accepting that.

What can we do now???

Thankyou

EltonJohnFan

I'm really sorry to hear of your situation but from my (very limited) knowledge of this topic I think they can.
Your partner is wise to accept the re-payment plan, keep contacting them and I hope everything works out for you both.

Take care

Crazychik

He offered them a repayment plan, but they refused it. Its either pay in full now, or deduct from wages. Thanks anyway

sunnyone

set up a standing order for future CSA payments, with SO's you stay in charge and the CSA cant take the money out willy nilly when they feel like it.

They wont like it when you tell them that its SO or nothing but its within your rights and safer for him.

RAS

How much is the arrears, and how has he managed to get arrears when he has been paying monthly?

Do post on the Child Support forum as well, as you will get better advice.

Blackpool_Saver

Crazychik wrote: »

Now, today he receives a final payment of arrears for the last 3 months, and if no money is paid in 5 days, they will take 40% from his wages end of January.

Please can you explain this, what arrears are there if he has been paying over the phone?
And why is he getting payments of arrears himself?

Oldernotwiser

If he hasn't paid for a while, surely he still has the money?

pink_princess

They can take the payment straight from his wage upto a certain % .As oldernotwiser says why does he not still have the money ? I believe his employer can also apply an admin charge for having to forward the payment to them.

Crazychik

Its not the question whether or not he has the money, the problem with CSA, (and Im sure at least 90% of folk who deal with them can possibly agree, things never goes to plan)....yes OH's attitude was b

---

ks to them, why should he spend extra money each month on phone calls to make a payment, when a company so HUGE cant be bothered to take the DD money out on the correct date, or even get their act together to help re-set it up. I think in a situation like this, CSA should accept partial responsibility, but aren't doing so.
The arrears is just over £600.

He's willing to pay, and has the money to do so, regardless - thats not the original question here......

Oldernotwiser

Crazychik wrote: »

Its not the question whether or not he has the money, the problem with CSA, (and Im sure at least 90% of folk who deal with them can possibly agree, things never goes to plan)....yes OH's attitude was b

---

ks to them, why should he spend extra money each month on phone calls to make a payment, when a company so HUGE cant be bothered to take the DD money out on the correct date, or even get their act together to help re-set it up. I think in a situation like this, CSA should accept partial responsibility, but aren't doing so.
The arrears is just over £600.

He's willing to pay, and has the money to do so, regardless - thats not the original question here......

The reality is that his children will have had to go without things over Christmas just so that he can put two fingers up at the CSA.

If he has the money and he owes it he should pay it.

pink_princess

But if he repays in full,then he can set up a standing order to pay them on the date he chooses.That way he ll save admin fees etc.Like all goverment departments things are never perfect.