How do I push the CSA?

guruchelles

Probably a comedy title for some of you, I appreciate.

I've posted about my CSA case on here before, but I'm basically after some advice about how to hurry them up, if that's even possible. I seem to be banging my head against a wall already.

Background:

I contacted the CSA in January 2012 informing them that my NRP had a new job and that I wasn't convinced he was paying enough through our private arrangement. I actually thought I was starting a new case, but was informed on that phonecall that I had actually opened a case back in 2007 (when I was on income support and was made to - he was on benefits too and there was a nill assessment).

Anyway, so that was a year ago. I left it lying. I had no correspondence from them at all. I lost my nerve about going through the CSA because I didn't want to anger my NRP. My new husband gently nagged me every now and again, and recently (about two weeks ago) I called them.

The woman I spoke to (a caseworker?) said that she was surprised how long the case had been in action and that she would come in on Monday morning and assess it. I would be called on Monday, but if not, no later than Thursday. Of course, I wasn't.

I called them again last week and spoke to somebody else. She said that she would put an email through to the team to make sure it was worked on. She also said that there had been some verbal contact with the NRP's employer back in October so all the information was there to assess. (Why it was only verbal, and why it took 10 months, I don't know; I'm a bit worried that they didn't actually request payslips and that his employer could have lied about his earnings on his behalf because it's only a tiny company). The woman on the phone said to call back if I hadn't heard anything within a week.

So I call back today. Surprise, surprise, it hasn't been touched between today and the last time I called. She will send an email to the team, etc. etc.. This time I politely, but firmly said that I wasn't happy with that because that's what they said last week. I asked if I could talk to somebody from the assessment team - no. I asked if I could talk to her supervisor - they're "all in a meeting". She put a 'ringback' on my number for her line manager to call me, but forgive me if I don't trust that he or she will.

So what do I do now? I appreciate that I should have chased this up months ago, but it's been over a year now. The NRP is paying £130 a month for two children, who he has over night twice a fortnight plus a few extras in holidays. He'd have to be on minimum wage for that to be right, so I am sure he should be paying more.

Sorry about being such a Wordy Wizard!

Peace.

guruchelles

I think I have read on here somewhere that you can request everything that's on your file. Would that be useful here do you think? How do I do it?

I've submitted an online complaint directly to the office through their web form.

DUTR

guruchelles wrote: »

Probably a comedy title for some of you, I appreciate.

I've posted about my CSA case on here before, but I'm basically after some advice about how to hurry them up, if that's even possible. I seem to be banging my head against a wall already.

(snip)

So what do I do now? I appreciate that I should have chased this up months ago, but it's been over a year now. The NRP is paying £130 a month for two children, who he has over night twice a fortnight plus a few extras in holidays. He'd have to be on minimum wage for that to be right, so I am sure he should be paying more.

Sorry about being such a Wordy Wizard!

Peace.

You have a case open, so request a re-assesment, quoting the actual figure of £130 is next to meaningless, as that is based on a % which will vary from case to case, the figure could be correctish, as he is probably not a premiership mid fielder.

Sensemaya

guruchelles wrote: »

I think I have read on here somewhere that you can request everything that's on your file. Would that be useful here do you think? How do I do it? Please refer to Sticky Link top of this forum...post 9. Mind you I'm not sure whether it's the most up to date address. Somebody else will probably confirm this.

I've submitted an online complaint directly to the office through their web form.

Just go to your MP. Easiest and quickest route.

indie_kid_2

The easiest way I found to 'push' them was to make a formal complaint. Don't bother with their online complaint form - I did that and they just ignored it. Put everything in writing in a proper letter, start by saying to wish to register an official complaint because of the unacceptable delays on your case, not fulfilling promises of callbacks etc etc and send it to the normal office that deals with your case. They have to respond within 2 days to acknowledge your complaint and then I think they have 15 working days to make some progress on the issue.

It was the only thing that worked for me, just phoning them didn't seem to get me anywhere. Hope that helps :-)

guruchelles

DUTR wrote: »

You have a case open, so request a re-assesment, quoting the actual figure of £130 is next to meaningless, as that is based on a % which will vary from case to case, the figure could be correctish, as he is probably not a premiership mid fielder.

I have requested a reassessment. That's what I did in January 2012. I don't know his wage and don't trust him to tell me the truth about it, which is why I wanted to get them on board.

Just go to your MP. Easiest and quickest route.

I'll keep this is my armoury for a bit, I think. Thank you.

The easiest way I found to 'push' them was to make a formal complaint. Don't
bother with their online complaint form - I did that and they just ignored it.
Put everything in writing in a proper letter, start by saying to wish to
register an official complaint because of the unacceptable delays on your case,
not fulfilling promises of callbacks etc etc and send it to the normal office
that deals with your case. They have to respond within 2 days to acknowledge
your complaint and then I think they have 15 working days to make some progress
on the issue.

It was the only thing that worked for me, just phoning
them didn't seem to get me anywhere. Hope that helps :-)

After I submitted the form it said that they'd respond within 15 working days. To be honest I am hoping for a schedule of payment before then! Do you think I should submit a postal complaint too, or wait for a few weeks to see if they respond to either the case itself or the online complaint?

Sensemaya

guruchelles wrote: »

I have requested a reassessment. That's what I did in January 2012. I don't know his wage and don't trust him to tell me the truth about it, which is why I wanted to get them on board. You are still waiting a year later!



I'll keep this is my armoury for a bit, I think. Thank you.



After I submitted the form it said that they'd respond within 15 working days. To be honest I am hoping for a schedule of payment before then! Do you think I should submit a postal complaint too, or wait for a few weeks to see if they respond to either the case itself or the online complaint?

You are being very optimistic. I wouldn't keep your MP waiting in your armoury. Use them now. You will see that you get a response pretty quickly!

guruchelles

Sensemaya wrote: »

You are being very optimistic. I wouldn't keep your MP waiting in your armoury. Use them now. You will see that you get a response pretty quickly!

Hmm... my MP is Oliver Letwin. :rotfl:

Sensemaya

Well it's his assistant(s) that do the legwork. Get them to phone up the Parliamentary hotline before you book in at his surgery and see if they can update you on 'developments'. I'm sure they will have some info for you.

wayne0

request everything that the DWP holds about you...

there is no charge for this... (i did this for myself, and have got a copy of my CSA files thrown in....)
(i believe the CSA charge the legal £10 fee if you ask them directly)

subject access report send letter to:

the data protection liason officer
room C208A
Warbrick house
blackpool
FY2 0ye

include:
full name
dob
address
nino
details of info required.
DLA/Income support/esa/jsa/all other departments of DWP (this includes the CSA)
state that you want a copy of all Clarical / and or comp info
put your signature. and attach some ID and proof of address
there is no fee

i requested my file for help with wifes immigration (to make it clear that i informed DWP that my wife had no recourse when i claimed the little bit i did and she was deemed to be in reciept of public funds - despite being assessed as a single man)

wayne0

also, have you asked your ex to show you his last 3 payslips... if he wont, then...

but if he does, whats the issue... - remember its going to cost him money to get to work too...

also, if he is working 9-5, your saying hes on min wage - consider that most employees have an unpaid lunch break (1 hr)...

and nmw jobs are very common... (im taking up a trainee manager position soon which is at nmw - experience and job satisfaction is often worth more than the wage )