Need some advice big time CSA unbelievable.

[MW35]

Need some advice big time, I received a letter from the job centre earlier stating they will be taking money out of my ESA for child support, I have never herd off the CSA, my two daughters are 18 and nearly 20 although I haven't seen them for a few years through no fault of mine I used to regularly give my ex money for my children she'd never got the CSA involved and she's always worked so never got the CSA involved, naturally I thought she had got them involved this time as I have not spoke to her in a few years either, I phoned job centre plus they told me I need to speak to the CSA as it was them who told job centre plus to take money from me, I phoned CSA add some right arrogant bloke on the other end telling me my ex had not contacted them and that it doesn't matter how old my children are as I have never paid through the CSA I must pay something back, surely this is not right due to the age of my children I told him I used to pay my ex money he told me it doesn't matter because it's not on their records! Please advise if they can do this or not, He also told me it doesn't matter if my children was working full-time when I told him I would take this further and see citizens advice he put the phone down on me.

[Bazooka Boo]

Did you get this clowns name?

You need to lodge a formal complaint to the JCP regarding their foolish employees attitude.

 

Seems like he was on an uneducated power trip!

Even the .Gov website clearly states that if you have a 'family arrangement' in place then these lot won't get involved...

https://www.gov.uk/child-maintenance/overview

[MW35]

Thanks for the reply, No unfortunately I didn't have chance to get his name he put the phone down on me, like I said I was paying for my kids up until they were 16, and my ex-partner as never claimed anything off the government she's always worked, so I can't see how they can do this especially the age my children are now.

[Bazooka Boo]

Lodge a formal complaint to the manager, and have them retrieve the phone recording and have the little oik disciplined.

 

I would also be asking them to clarify 'IN WRITING' exactly what they think they are going to do, so you are able to

escalate this to the correct body to investigate, JCP/DWP are a law unto themselves and need knocking off their perch.

 

I would write back to whomever sent you the letter, and clearly mark it 'formal complaint', keep copies of everything you send, and a diary of events for your reference.

[MW35]

The letter came from job centre plus Wolverhampton, I'm from South Wales they told me they were instructed by the CSA to take money, and couldn't give me any more information that I would need to speak the CSA so I phoned CSA that's when I spoke to the arrogant P^^^K that basically said there was nothing I could do, I needed to pay something back, even though I've been paying but because they've got no record on it because we never went through the CSA, I've got an appointment Wednesday with my citizens advice I would love to make formal complaints as I can't see this being legal.

[Bazooka Boo]

Yeah, CSA/JCP/DWP all the same ilk https://www.gov.uk/child-maintenance/complaints-and-appeals

 

If they do start deducting money from your ESA, then that will be another complaint.

 

Despicable establishment.

[MW35]

They've already started taking money, even though I never had a letter from the CSA, only job centre plus, can't wait to see what citizens advice say on Wednesday. But this is the mental part that I just realised, deductions start 25/02/15 for the one child then 08/04/15 for the other child, deduction ends for the one child 07/04/15 but continues with the other child with no end date, also there is a slight different amount for either child.

[topcat1802]

Perhaps you could talk to you ex-partner.

 

 

One of the conditions for child maintenance ending is "the parent receiving the payment doesn’t want it anymore". So presumably all you have to do is get her to write to CSA saying she doesn't want the payments!

[MW35]

That's not going to work she can't stand me..lol... I'll see citizens advice Wednesday as I shouldn't be paying for kids 18 and nearly 20 that I have paid for up until they were 16.

[Bazooka Boo]

Have you had a read of any of those links I added?

Just so you're better informed tomorrow...

[skookum]

I have had major problems with the CSA for over a year.

 

Wrong calculations, invented arrears and money not reaching my ex. Every time I pay off arrears they come back with more over the last 3 weeks I have been given figures ranging from I am £30 in credit to £170 in arrears.

 

This week I decided enough was enough. Complaints and appeals go nowhere so I wrote to Independent Case Examiner with full details.

 

The CSA called me again today with further requests for money, £48 today. I told them I am paying nothing than my weekly amount until the case has been looked at by Jim Edwards. An immediate panic ensued on the phone and I was transferred to a manager.

 

He requested I put the case examiner on hold till he looks into it. I agreed but I am not going to because the CSA usually ignore complaints.

 

Might be worth name dropping him as it seems to be the only thing they are nervous of.

 

Today they put me down as a non-payer as I refused to pay this amount over the phone. I pay every week religiously but since I have read of a couple of cases where CSA workers have been convicted of fraud and diverted money to their personal accounts I think I would rather I pay it direct to their account.

[goodatresearch]

This all seems very odd. Your entitled to know why you have to pay and for how long. As already stated, complaints all round.

 

Just a thought, how din you pay you ex? If through your bank this should be easily proved.

 

You should note that the rules have changed. The cut off is no longer age 16. It depends if they are continuing education. This could mean your liable for payments until they leave university. However as your on benefits I doubt if this is why they're chasing.

[oldme]

I think that if your kids are still in full time education you can still be liable to pay maintenance

[goodatresearch]

I wonder if they've got you mixed up with someone else.

 

CSA only deals with existing cases, so if you've never heard from them them I believe the Child Maintenance Service would be the people chasing you. In any case your entitled to know what's going on. The advice on this thread as to who to complain to is very good. Have you complained?

 

Plus you can make a Subject Access Request to the DWP which should give you copies of all your personal data, which should shed some light on this.

 

If you look on line, you will see that the DWP has a form specifically for SAR requests and the good thing about this is they provide the information free of charge. You will receive it in dribs and drabs and some of the information will be irrelevant, but it will contain information relevant to the CSA.

[goodatresearch]

There's also a form on line for a SAR to CSA/CMS. £10 fee though.