CSA1 Departure

Sensemaya

PreludeForTimeFeelers wrote: »

Sometimes the default responses here of "Ask for a complete breakdown", "Contact your MP" or "Never speak to the CSA on the telephone" are less than helpful and instead just drag situations out.

Totally and utterly disagree. Because of my persistance in these matters ( PWC) over YEARS OF INCOMPETENCE, PARLIAMENTARY OMBUDSMAN,JUDICIAL REVIEW, ICE - because of favourable changes in legislation sneaked through to make the complaints procedure MORE difficult for laypersons so I couldn't approach PA for third time etc...)I actually have a case that is working. Mind you it should not be hard to get the CSA to transfer a weekly amount WITHOUT ARREARS to my account, should it?

This really pi*sses you off ,doesn't it, prelude. I didn't give up...So I will continue to help people.

Sensemaya

HoneyNutLoop wrote: »

I would start by checking if all the figures used are correct, so the net income for you both, your housing costs, council tax, details of all the children in your household, etc.

If all the component parts are right, I would then be asking a caseworker to walk me through the calculations to make sure there are no errors there. If necessary ask them to provide a more detailed explanation in writing.

If there are no mistakes in the calculation or the information used, I would prepare myself for the possibility that the assessment is correct, whether or not I felt personally that it was too high. However, even at that stage, you can still appeal the decision, but if there is nothing evidently wrong, you will need to ready for an outcome that doesn't go in your favour, and do everything you can to financially prepare yourself.

I also am not clear what the point would be in asking for an account breakdown, as all this will show is the amount you've paid versus the amount you have been assessed to pay, and does not give any breakdown of how the assessments were worked out. Fine if you are mystified where arrears have come from, but not really of any help when you know where they're from but disagree with the assessment.

Also, while your MP can certainly help with getting the CSA to move faster or put right mistakes they've made, what they can't do is get the CSA to deviate from legislation and make one-off exceptions from the rules for their constituents.

All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy...and keeps him busy! So the CSA can play.

Sensemaya

Honey & Prelude...you both have gone conspicuously quiet... big word that...conspicuous...

PreludeForTimeFeelers

Sensemaya wrote: »

Totally and utterly disagree. Because of my persistance in these matters ( PWC) over YEARS OF INCOMPETENCE, PARLIAMENTARY OMBUDSMAN,JUDICIAL REVIEW, ICE - because of favourable changes in legislation sneaked through to make the complaints procedure MORE difficult for laypersons so I couldn't approach PA for third time etc...)I actually have a case that is working. Mind you it should not be hard to get the CSA to transfer a weekly amount WITHOUT ARREARS to my account, should it?

This really pi*sses you off ,doesn't it, prelude. I didn't give up...So I will continue to help people.

It doesn't pee me off, I just think that sometimes a quick phone call can clear up an issue much faster than requesting a breakdown, contacting your MP and insisting that any contact is only done in writing. I'm glad that your case is up and running now.

PreludeForTimeFeelers

Sensemaya wrote: »

Honey & Prelude...you both have gone conspicuously quiet... big word that...conspicuous...

Sorry, it's 12:53 here and the Internet connection is a little unreliable.

HoneyNutLoop

Wow, I missed a lot! Sorry sensemaya, I don't stay logged in all day. It's not about being p**d off, I just think that one size doesn't fit all, and that asking for an account breakdown and going to your MP isn't necessarily the right advice for every situation.

Obviously we don't agree but that's no reason to start flinging around accusations or the rest of it. As I mentioned before, I'm quite OCD. I read everything, I look up everything. Take from that what you will.

Fclamp1

If we appeal against the decision on shared housing costs - how successful are we liable to be? The decision seems to have been made arbritrarily - and if there is no fixed formula it will be our opinion against the Departure teams opinion as to what is reasonable.

Crellow4

There is a fixed formula for attributing the housing costs. The CSA will consider the total income of your household and expect your new partner to contribute to the extent of her earnings. For example, if the total household income is £600 per week and she earns £200 of that, she would be expected to pay 1/3 of the rent or mortgage. If you do not supply her details it will be assumed she is in a position to pay at least half.

Fclamp1

ok -why is there one calculation that you understand, then the PWC asks for a departure and that calculation is over-ruled and another is made, backdated, that results in a thousand+ pounds of arrears? How is that fair and equitable? To quote the rules?

Crellow4

Because there is secondary legislation to allow the baseline calculation to be 'departed' from.