Is There Anything I can do to make sure CSA investigate this properly?

[Deleted User]

I am learning quickly how ineffective the CSA are lol but am finding my lack of knowledge as to how the assessment process works is hindering me in dealing with them.

My ex and I split up in 2007. At first we were 'talking' and he wanted to see his son but a girlfriend arrived and things changed. There has been little contact since then. Getting him to see his son has been a struggle although it has happened on the odd occasion.

2008 my ex was convicted of benefit fraud (claiming incapacity benefit while working - for a year). He has had some periods of unemployment since but has worked reasonably consistently as far as I know. But he has told the CSA that from 2007-2011 he was totally supported by his partner! I have the names of employers for a couple of his jobs (but for both, he was working for an agency, not directly paid by the employer). I have now pointed out to the CSA that as he was convicted of fraud, he can't be believed when he tells them he wasn't working. The CSA tell me that they can only obtain tax records for his last/present employer.., not past employers.

I have kindof had enough of my ex getting away with his attitude (see https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4126859

Today they made it a bit clearer what was going on, that to gain any more information the case would have to be escalated to another team. I would have thought that like the general benefits agency, they'd be able to access his past tax records fairly easily.., but it seems not?

The CSA are asking me for details of previous employers.., I can give the names of a couple of the companies he worked for but not the agencies who actually employed him. I know from rough things he's said he's worked elsewhere too.., but nothing other than vague details.

Can I do something to get the CSA to escalate the case so they can look into his tax records (which would seem to me to be the easiest proof of whether he's worked or not and for whom)?

[Deleted User]

Well its over a year later. The CSA did finally manage to get my ex to pay a whole ten month's payments.., til he left his job. He's not co-operating with them again, he IS working, but I don't know where so the whole saga starts again. This has been going on since July of this year this time (since he last paid anything). The CSA sent a trace to the tax office to find out where he's working last month (July - November it took them to do this). Apparently it can take 16 weeks to get a reply. I fully expect him to have left this job before they even decide to start the laborious process of getting the money deducted from his salary again. I keep being told they will send another enquiry to whichever department is dealing with this (its now with whatever department does Inland Revenue traces). I get a different answer as to what's going on, what they are doing etc every time I phone.

I can't believe how those that don't want to pay are enabled to run rings around the CSA system. Definitely not fit for purpose.

I never have managed to get them to check what he was earning for the long period he told them he wasn't earning (apparently he was living off his present partner, so he says) although I did send them his employers names and addresses for that period as we were still in communication then (and he was still seeing his son then, unlike now). I get a different answer every time I raise this point too.

Deary me.., I know we get posts from Fathers who feel they are paying too much but it seems to me that the CSA is totally useless.

sfm82

I didn't want to read and run, it sounds like you've been through the mill! have you ever made a complaint to the CSA?

jacklink

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