csa are they as bad as ever? hope not

wordsfan

My ex is forces. Csa took 2 years to pin him down wen we first split. I currently receive a monthly amount n have done for past 7 years. He receives discount for his 2 kids with new wife even tho he currently lives away during week. I've just discovered he's been promoted about a year ago inc a significant pay rise. I am currently unemployed. Had ill health last few years but now looking for work...no joy so far. My daughter would benefit hugely from any increase in income. Wat worries me is past experience of Csa. If i ask them to review our case will they stop my money? I would be really stuck if they did. What are peoples experience on this?

shegirl

Your payments would remain the same while they reassess.

PreludeForTimeFeelers

wordsfan wrote: »

My ex is forces. Csa took 2 years to pin him down wen we first split. I currently receive a monthly amount n have done for past 7 years. He receives discount for his 2 kids with new wife even tho he currently lives away during week. I've just discovered he's been promoted about a year ago inc a significant pay rise. I am currently unemployed. Had ill health last few years but now looking for work...no joy so far. My daughter would benefit hugely from any increase in income. Wat worries me is past experience of Csa. If i ask them to review our case will they stop my money? I would be really stuck if they did. What are peoples experience on this?

Do you mean would they stop your benefits, or would they stop what you're currently receiving?
They wouldn't do either - benefits aren't linked to child maintenance any more. If it took a month or two to find out what he is currently earning (depending on how co-operative he is with them), then you would continue to receive your current amount in the meantime, and any new assessment will then be back-dated to the date when you contact them to ask for it.

kevin137

He should of notified them if it was a significant increase, and as such i believe they can back date any assessment due you.

iluvfreebies

changes of circs are only effective from when the agency are made awareof the change i.e when the parent with care asks for a change - for a change to income has to have changed by 5% in order for it to effect your maintenance payments.

kevin137

i!!!!!!!!!!! wrote: »

changes of circs are only effective from when the agency are made awareof the change i.e when the parent with care asks for a change - for a change to income has to have changed by 5% in order for it to effect your maintenance payments.

So if the OP said a significant i wold assume it would be far more than 5% meaning he SHOULD of notified them, and it can indeed be backdated.

RedSky

kevin137 wrote: »

So if the OP said a significant i wold assume it would be far more than 5% meaning he SHOULD of notified them, and it can indeed be backdated.

It is only a legal requirement to report a change in income if payment is being made by DEO. As stated by iluv freebies, with normal procedures a change is only effective from the date the CSA are notified. Kevin137, can you explain the details behind your statement of when backdating occurs?

kevin137

There are plenty of posts on here for backdating... And it is a legal requirement for everyone subject to an assessment as far as i know.

Isn't it in the notice of schedule that you MUST notify any change...?

shegirl

kevin137 wrote: »

There are plenty of posts on here for backdating... And it is a legal requirement for everyone subject to an assessment as far as i know.

Isn't it in the notice of schedule that you MUST notify any change...?

When I informed the CSA of my exes second job on the phone incase he intentionally forgot to put it on his reassessment forms (the woman on the phone couldn't tell if he had), they asked when he started there.Once I told them the response was 'we'll definately have to look into that' then asked how he is paid there etc.

I also thought it was a requirement and the response I got on the phone appeared like it was too?

RedSky

kevin137 wrote: »

There are plenty of posts on here for backdating... And it is a legal requirement for everyone subject to an assessment as far as i know.

Which backdating posts are you referring to? Are they where errors have occurred?

shegirl wrote: »

I also thought it was a requirement and the response I got on the phone appeared like it was too?

The following CSA leaflets states a change of income is only a "you should tell us" unless you pay by DEO then it becomes a "you must tell us".

http://www.direct.gov.uk/prod_consum_dg/groups/dg_digitalassets/@dg/@en/@benefits/documents/digitalasset/dg_198848.pdf (page 26)

http://www.direct.gov.uk/prod_consum_dg/groups/dg_digitalassets/@dg/@en/@benefits/documents/digitalasset/dg_198849.pdf (page 36)

kevin137

Changes you must tell the CSA about by law

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Parents/ChildMaintenance/IfyourealreadyusingtheChildSupportAgency/DG_199039

Very confusing i have to say, but at the top of that page it says this is a list of what YOU MUST TELL THEM BY LAW and then where NRP is you should tell them of income change....

But as that is a list of what YOU MUST TELL THEM BY LAW< i think it would be safe to assume that would be LAW....!