Nil Assessment. What can I do?

djdido2

Hi


Waited for two years for an answer from the CSA only to be told they have done a nil assessment because the NRP cannot be traced. I have provided details of his place of work and where he is SUPPOSED to be living.

Was going to give up on this but I have just checked my finances and things are not looking good at all.

What can I do? Any ideas?

kelloggs36

They can't do a nil assessment because of this! Appeal against the decision and ask whether or not they have made contact with his employer. Of course they can't tell you the outcome of whether or not he works there, but it may bring it to the fore again if they have failed to act on the info. I am currently working on such cases and it is very difficult to prove a residence. If he lives with friends he isn't going to be registered for council tax, but these checks should be made as a matter of course and a visit carried out to try and track him down. Sometimes case officers don't act on info which they should, so it should be worth telling them again where he works. forms should be sent there asking for the wage info where they can impose a DEO if he works there. Good luck and let us know what they say when you ring them asking if they have contacted the employer (they should be able to tell you that at least).

djdido2

Thanks for the reply kelloggs. He is actually working self-employed as a taxi driver so I am aware I dont have a leg to stand on because he can declare what he wants to. They made contact with him last year and at the time he was served with a DEO but then he left this job to avoid the CSA as he had a friend who was advising him with the best and only way of not having to pay a penny. He is now living with his brother who owns the local boozer so he definitely won't ne registered for Council Tax.

He told them he had been made redundant and he was living off the proceeds of this. They basically told me the other day that he is not traceable as there are no records of him as in receipt of benefit or registered self employed. I was thinking of reporting him for working cash in hand but have nothing whatsoever to go on.

The lengths he has gone to avoid paying anything is astonishing!

Its just a hopeless case.

djdido2

Well I have rang to see whether they have bothered to do anything on my case. It seems they want me to give them another couple of weeks to work on the case. I can almost guarantee that when I call back in two weeks they will have done absolutely nothing.

kelloggs36

Did you ask why they need longer and what it is that they need longer for? I would seriously put in a complaint about lack of action if they can't tell you what they have done so far.

djdido2

I think I will ring and complain today. They sheer incompetency is just unbeleivable. They ask every single time why I am calling!!?? I reply that I would like to check the progress of my claim and THEY ask me what has been done so far!! !!!!!!???

Kelloggs, the lady spoke to last asked could I wait a couple of weeks for my case worker to work on my case as the scumbag has found a way round the system so that he cannot be traced or tracked down.

Think I will ring and complain today. I really have had enough!!

Didnt have the funds in my account this month to pay my mortgage, this is just the start but I can't see myself and my kids still living here in the next six months!

jay_snizzel

As you said he's classed himself as a self employer taxi driver, when i used to work there you'd be surprised at how many taxi drivers we'd have who manage to live off £60 per week.
Anyway one possibility for you is that you might be able to ask for a Variations on the grounds of Lifestyle inconsistant with his income, so if he'd driving round in a new BMW or getting work done to the house then let the CSA know about it

kelloggs36

The assessment is only nil because of lack of trace not because of low earnings, so a lifestyle application can't work here.

If he is a taxi driver, he should be registered with his local authority - I take it that the CSA have checked with them to see if they hold address details for his license details?

Other than that, if he hasn't registered with the Inland Revenue, or lodged accounts with them, isn't registered for Council Tax or the electoral roll and hasn't applied for any accounts of any kind in the near past then the agency will draw a blank.

djdido2

Hi thanks for the replies.

Yes he does have a licence number for the local authority and I have provided this along with the name and address of the taxi licencing for the local area. I have asked the CSA have they contacted them and they just do not seem to have an answer for me. I ask direct questions and know full well that they are lying from the way they answer.

It would be far easier to say that they have done nothing. He is not registered with Inland Revenue, Council Tax or Electoral Roll but he has gone out if his way to cover every single aspect of being untraceable for this purpose.

I cannot contemplate how very sad it must be for my ex to make it his focus to avoid every aspect of normal life to avoid buying shoes and clothes for his wonderful little boy. Unbeleivable!!!!!

So the next step is to wait. Which I have done for the last couple of years!!GRRRRRRR!!!!!!!!

kelloggs36

And make formal complaints.

djdido2

I have made a complaint via email and have received acknowledgement of this but I think it will be a miracle if I ever get a reply.

Have also contacted my MP to see if they can help.

Cheers for all help.

Dido