On DMP, but CSA paid into 'defalted' account

Kazonline

Hi everyone. I don't know if anyone remembers me, but I finally got myself onto a DMP. I arranged for all my income to be paid into a new bank account and then set up the DMP so I could start properly... or so I thought.
In brief CSA have paid 3 payments into my old account that should've gone into my new account. I'm currently on income support and my income support payments are reduced to take into account the maintenance payments. They've paid just short of £500 into my old account since I asked them to change the details.
Is there any way I can get the money back?
I have spoken to them tonight, but of course 'that department is closed' and because tomorrow is friday I might not get a call until next week (I've never understood the logic in that - either they are there on a friday or not )

At the moment I just feel like walking the wrong way across a railway bridge IYKIM. I was terrified of going onto a DMP and allready I'm £500 down on where I should be.
If I can't get it back from the CSA or the bank is there anyway I can get it back from income support. I know that if it was an income support payment I'd be entitled to have it back from the bank - does this apply with maintenance, especially as it's been deducted from my income support?

Any advice would be really appreciated.
Ta,
Kaz x

Ps - the 'old account' is included in my DMP as is very overdrawn & appols for the spelling - esp in the title!!! (Can't find a way to edit that!)

Kazonline

any ideas anyone please???

rayday2

I honestly think you don't stand a chance getting the money back.

What you need to concentrate on is making sure no more go in there and see what they say. But from personal experience I know how rubbish the CSA are. Did you tell them after the first time? You could lodge a complaint or even write to your local MP and let them know what has happened.

Also you could speak to the income support people and let them know whats happened.

Trouble is when CSA stuff up you have to get other government bodies to take notice and thats hard.

Really sorry but fight becuase the more fuss you make the more you stand a chance doing something. And it is not fair!

lynzpower

god Kaz, I really dont know the answer to this.

I wonder whether if you PM Fran on the benefits board, she might know.

rayday2

Also local press give them a ring too make a real noise especially if you told the CSA after the first time they have no excuse!

Kazonline

Thanks both. I'll send a Pm tomorrow - just got in now from taking my son to A&E (school trip = another injury)
I really find it so hard keeping up with the money coming in in bits here and bits there - I used to be so good at this stuff, but find it hard now. It's a funny thing but I can help others - just not myself.
I'll give them a call in the morning and see if I can chase it up. I'm sure there's something they must be able to do as if they'd paid it into the wrong persons account they'd have to retrieve it.
Kazx

Penelope_Penguin

Hi, Kaz! It's not good enough for the CSA to pay the money into a defunct account and then say you can't have it back. A strongly worded complaint is the very least they should expect.

Is the defunct account closed? If not, can you do that, as that way the bank will not accept the payment and will bounce it back to CSA. I'm aware that the bank may not allow you to do this, though, so may not be an option.

Are you getting Tax Credits? They ignore maintenance in their calculations (as it's regarded as not being a certain source of income).

Could you try a crisis loan or other payment from the social fund.

Agree about the local press and MP - they can be a real source of help.

I'll give this some more thought and research and get back to you.

What happened to DS?????? Hope he's better soon.

(((CWTCH)))

Penny. x

Kazonline

Hi Pen, thanks for your reply.
I did type a reply earlier but it seems to have gone missing.
Am currently being fobbed off by the CSA - I've been trying to deal with it all morning! I was told it had been passed over as a 'priority', but after an hour of waiting I received no call, so I've called back and am now on hold. I can't even get to speak to a supervisor!!!! So far I've been on hold for 16minutes... and counting. Thank heavens for handsfree phones .

My DS is ok thank you, tucked up in bed resting his leg. Luckily he's done no more than 'seriously bruised' his shin, but being the middle child he always cosiders himself hard done by and if I don't get him fully checked out he complains of pain for months. Last night he couldn't put any weight on the foot - or so he claimed :rolleyes: . So good was his drama the doc even sent him for xrays . I feel bad that so much money and time was wasted, but I guarantee the day I don't get him checked will be the day he's done some damage.

ah, 20 mins and still on hold. At least the music isn't as bad as it used to be :rotfl:

Kaz x

rayday2

CSA are the only people who have ever got me in tears when dealing with, they are absolutely terrible, good luck and give them hell!

Glad your son is OK

Kazonline

thank you ray day I will. I'm still on hold, no supervisors available apparently and I'm apparently going to be cut off in 5 minutes and the silly mare even giggled before she put me on hold. More fool her because I have her name and the time of call etc and I'll see to it that she is reported - and there was me trying to be understanding that her hands are tied. As I told her I'll just keep calling back if they cut me off. I'm going to be the biggest boil on their backside today.

Kazonline

ok - after 44 minutes on hold this time they have decided to tell me that they won't be giving me the money back. Going to ring CCCS now and income support.
Anyone getting grief off Income Support to claim maintenance DON'T DO IT. you'll be left without the cash and they won't give a monkeys