CSA probs again

michelefauk

Hi
I have posted on here before and received lots of help, so here goes again!
The story so far goes that my ex owes over £27000 in unpaid maintenance for our 2 children aged 15 and 13, this debt goes back 13 years, in that time I have received a couple of hundred pounds under a deduction of earnings order, that is all.

the CSA now have a Liability Order against my ex, which was issued in february 07. To date nothing has happened about this, I did contact the CSA to enquire whether they had managed to collect any payments, they informed me that the bailiffs would be visiting my ex but as yet hadnt (since february??) and to phone back in a month when they might be able to tell me something. To be honest the bailiffs will get nowhere, as my ex lives in a council property which is in his girlfriend's name, has no bank account, no job, no assets etc etc. The CSA said that the bailiffs wouldnt accept any kind of payment plan that he might offer, they will be looking for 50% of the debt upfront then the remainder paid off over a year. as this is obviously not going to happen, what will be the outcome? the bailiffs will return the case to the CSA and then what?

the other story that runs alongside this is that I have made a complaint in writing to the CSA which I asked for answers to some issues that they had made errors on previously (not putting a charging order on my exes property, which ended up being sold and he pocketed the proceeds) and a couple of other issues. I sent this complaint to the Area Director on 4th march 07, he acknowledged it 8th march 07 saying I would have an answer by 28th March. on 28th march the CSA called to say they needed longer to look into my complaint and would reply very shortly. On 17th MAY I called to find out why had not received an answer, was told very sorry, my letter was sitting unanswered in my file but that someone would be replying as a matter of urgency. I have still not had a reply. To say I am disgusted is an understatement. I] have a meeting with my MPs assistant tomorrow, and wondered what i should be demanding, I am not going to chaserthis up with the CSa again, as I find it too stressful to wait on the phone while they try to find someone who knows what is going on, this takes hours and I left wanting to scream in frustration! then all they will say is thasomeone will get back to me.

Any advice from anyone would be much appreciated, I am truly at my wit's end with battling the CSA, as I know many others are.

kelloggs36

Hello again! What on Earth are they playing at? I would be demanding an immediate response from them when you talk to the MP assistant tomorrow - then ask them to refer your case to the Parlimentary Ombudsman for a full investigation with a claim for proper compensation for the complete mess they have made on your case. This will take time, but they will respond to the Parlimentary Ombudsman as they have to - you will just have to be a little more patient lol. The CSA may refer the case to the debt collection agency they use, but as you say, without any assets, there is not much they can do other than now take the matter forward for committal proceedings or removal of driving licence - this looks likely from here!

michelefauk

Many thanks for that.

Unfortunately my MPs office just called to cancel as the lady I was due to see is ill, so have rescheduled for next week.

I have a HUGE file of letters (not many from the CSA though lol as they dont seem to reply!) which I will be going through with her, as well as a diary of all telephone conversations. Hopefully the Parliamentary Ombudsman will be the way forward.

With regard to the money outstanding, to be honest I wouldnt want my ex to go to prison over it, much as I detest him, the children would be devastated and I dont want that on my conscience. All I want is the money that he owes to be paid, and I dont think that is ever going to happen to be honest. I was also looking through the paperwork last night and wondering why he was assessed at nil for 1993 to 2000 when he was working during that time, at least 3 jobs that I remember, also he set up his own business during this time. Is the assessement nil because of the time delay ie past the 6 year limit, or because the CSA have no records of any income for him? If this latter is the case, can they go back and relook at employers for this period or is it oo late? This would make the outstanding amount nearer to £45000 if this could be proved .

Sensemaya

The Parliamentary Ombudsman is the way to go because they go through everything.If the CSA has balls up regarding the nil assessment, the PO will make damn sure you get the money owed to you in that period.

I know this is off topic, but when you need to get back to this forum after posting do you click on the balloon marked forum on top RH corner, or am I thick?

michelefauk

quick update: had a moment of madness at 11 AM and decided to phone CSA to ask whether my complaint is being looked at. Spoke to a very nice man, I really let rip at him which I do feel bad about, and said i was disgusted that they have had my complaint for 14 weeks and not replied. He promised he would call me back within the hour, and even if he had no news to tell me he would still call me back to tell me that. Guess what???

nesssie1702

Are you still waiting Michele?

Sensemaya

michelefauk wrote: »

quick update: had a moment of madness at 11 AM and decided to phone CSA to ask whether my complaint is being looked at. Spoke to a very nice man, I really let rip at him which I do feel bad about, and said i was disgusted that they have had my complaint for 14 weeks and not replied. He promised he would call me back within the hour, and even if he had no news to tell me he would still call me back to tell me that. Guess what???

Don't they make you sick?

I hope you got his name. Put in a complaint against him via your MP.

michelefauk

not a sausage, am absolutely fuming and yes Ive got his name!

welshcakes

I would rather CSA staff gave a longer but more realistic promise of getting back to you than getting us all aggitated when the hour comes and goes witout a dicky.

Bring in a sytem like MCOL (MoneyClaim Online) where you can securely log in and view exact progress of a claim, get the next stage activated instantly and have access to everything the other parent has/has not provided to the CSA.

michelefauk

That is a great idea. Although I fail to understand why it can take any longer than an hour to find who is dealing with the case and where it is at, is it really that complicated? Not having a dig at you, just wondering in general how can it take that long? and irrelevant really as I still have had no call back. I am absolutely fuming right now, trying to think what to do next.

Sensemaya

michelefauk wrote: »

That is a great idea. Although I fail to understand why it can take any longer than an hour to find who is dealing with the case and where it is at, is it really that complicated? Not having a dig at you, just wondering in general how can it take that long? and irrelevant really as I still have had no call back. I am absolutely fuming right now, trying to think what to do next.

It is a great idea, but too simple for the CSA to pull off.

Now then, ideas for what to do next...now.

Have a glass or two of wine...I'm off red at the moment and have taken quite a fancy to cheapo sparkling white wine...Blame it on Mr GG - he has corrupted me!

Then may I suggest you get hold of some CSA paperwork and toss it all up in the air and then jump up and down on all of it emcompassing all of the room....

You can really let yourself go and call the CSA all the names under the sun. On this occasion profane language is to be encouraged...

This temporary measure should alleviate all the stress and tension and, hopefully, revive your spirits and build up strength for the next entralling episode...

Then calm down by filing all the paperwork back...

I recommend Appeal papers as there is a lot of crap there.

I have only lost my temper once on the phone. It was with a cretinous CRO...and boy did I lose it....

After speaking about the case for about 30 mins, she got it all wrong. I started by screaming down the phone..."Have you not listened to anything I've been explaining to you, you stupid f***** cow".

I must have ranted for a good 2 mins with her saying "I'm going to terminate this phone call". I replied..."Then f**** do it, you idiot!"

Then I calmed down and promptly spoke to another CRO!

The only time I lost it! But sometimes the staff drive you to it.