URGENT HELP! Child Support Agency

[jimmyjammer]

I'm not too sure if this is the correct section, hopefully it is.

 

I'm hoping that someone here will be able to give me some pointers regarding arrears and the child support agency.

Basically I received a call back in Feb saying I had arrears of a couple of hundred pounds, and after numerous previous problems with them I just decided to go for an easy life and promptly paid what they were asking. I was then told that my account was all up to date and there were no further arrears outstanding, and as I was on a nil assessment I wouldn't have any further dealings with them unless my circumstances changed.

 

Then roughly 6 months later (August).......I received a phone call out of the blue from someone from the debt enforcement team telling me I had arrears outstanding for a few thousand pounds. I told him I had paid arrears back in Feb and as far as I was aware there must be some mistake. He basically went on to say that it looked like someone had suspended arrears when the account changed over from the old system to the new one...........but I had never been informed of any arrears or suspension. I have since received a breakdown of my account and from what sense I can make of it, it seems that there was a period between 1998-1999 they were requesting payments that in total are close to the amount of arrears that they are now seeking. My problem is in the fact that I have no memory of what was happening so long ago or what my circumstances were at that time.

 

I am also wondering if in fact they can pursue me for any arrears (if any) after telling me in Feb I was clear and up to date.

 

I am at a total loss as to what to do next, I have always complied with the CSA, and never tried to avoid them......but the fact that they are seeking such an amount now has me worried sick. I dont know if this is relevant but at the minute I am on a NIL assessment.

 

Please post any help or advice that you may have, and thankyou.

[Startkey&Clutch]

I used to run the helpline for NACSA and advise people with CSA problems, but havent been doing it for a few years so am a little out of touch.

With regards to arrears from 1999, there is a statute of limitations which says they cannot pursue a debt over 6 years old, though they can still do a DEO for the amount. Thats how I got mine cancelled, but it depends if you have acknowledged them in the last 6 years or not.

 

The advise I would give you is contact NACSA, they have experts who can check not only your assessment but also your arrears are correct, they are all volunteers but VERY knowledgeable.

I dont know if Im allowed to supply the link but its

www.nacsa.co.uk