CSA Called saying we have been overpayed

mcscoty1973

Hi all.

Subject says it all. CSA called me today saying that I owe them 13,350 that has been overpaid. I was shocked as I have never claimed for anything that I wasn't supposed to get.

The CSA claim stopped in Febuary this year and my son who is now 18 left school last June but was registered with Careers Scotland who never found him a job, until he got one this year in may.

Child Benefit was stopped in September last year and I was surprised to be told by the CSA that payment would continue until he turned 18 which was in March this year, so I just carried on oblivious to anything being wrong. In March the CSA wrote to me telling me that the CSA claim was now stopped and the last payment I got was in Febuary. 7 Months later finding out I have been overpaid is ridiculous, and I can't affored to pay it all off in one lump sum so agreed a payment pland with them of 50pm so it will take 2.5 years to clear!

I have read that if you are registered with something like Connections CSA payment can continue, and I am under the opinion that Careers Scotland is the scottish equivalent of this government scheme.

Can anyone offer any help or advise on this please, as it might be that I dont owe anything at all.

Any help would be great.

Thanks you. :-)

fannyanna

I don' think that's the case. I think they need to be in full time education.

mcscoty1973

It is rather unclear what is correct or not, I have seem some people agree with what you say, and others say if they are part of a goverment scheme such as Connextions then they can continue until they are 18.

Just realised there was a sub board so I have reposed there.

Thanks you.

fannyanna wrote: »

I don' think that's the case. I think they need to be in full time education.

MissMoneypenny

I think Connections allows parents to extend their benefits when a child leaves school i.e. Tax Credits; but CSA is maintenance payments from the non resident parent and I assume this finished when the child finished non- advanced eduction. Maintanence payments do not affect the benefits you claim.

Have you tried asking on the Child Support board?
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/forumdisplay.php?f=140

mcscoty1973

Hi MissMoneypenny.

Yes I realised my mistake and re-posted in the sub forum.

As far as I am aware, if you are entitled to CB then you are automatically entitled to CSA at the same time. If you stop claiming CB then CSA is supposed to stop. However I was told incorrectly that CSA continues until 18 or in full time advanced education.

MissMoneypenny wrote: »

I think Connections allows parents to extend their benefits when a child leaves school i.e. Tax Credits; but CSA is maintenance payments from the non resident parent and I assume this finished when the child finished non- advanced eduction. Maintanence payments do not affect the benefits you claim.

Have you tried asking on the Child Support board?
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/forumdisplay.php?f=140