[Solved] Child maintenance

Wow - not sure I would be happy if that happened to me

There is a link at the bottom of the page you should go to - they may help you

A friend at work had similar issue with the CSA, they made a mistake and he had to pay until he got so fed up of the hassle that he refused to pay them, cancelled his standing order......they took the money direct from his wages and left him in a right finacial mess.....
In desparation he contacted his MP, explained the whole events and mess. the MP wrote to the CSA department involved....

Funnily enough the CSA responded a lot quicker to the MP than they had to him. he then got the over payment repayed back to him but it did take them 4-5months to recalculate and pay the money back to him.

Hi Lee, I have had simular problems on and off for years with CSA, they say I owe arrears even when msot of the time I was paying them from my work through may wages, but they say they have no record of it since the company went bust, and my ex as not helped saying I never paid her much even though I always have paid for my child and happy to but not happy to get ripped off by any one, so I know how this can effect you and your life. I agree with dad-i d, try your MP if any one can help a decent MP will and you may get it sorted but worth a try, I will when I can but my MP isnt what you call able at the moment. But we should all do a petition or something as this isnt fare, ex's can say or do what they like with our children and to the CSA and all we have is 4 weeks to appeal anything, then they dont always comply but being goveremnt theres nothing we can do, unless you have thousands of pounds to pay a solicitor, which could take months. good luck

Hi I am Russell, I have been reading this topic as, Ii am about to be hit with something similar, My ex called off the CSA, she had found another person who was supporting her, I had had no problems paying maintenance and questioned it with the CSA, they informed me that the order had been stopped , and Ishould contact her, As she refuses to talk to me I continued to give my Daughter money she needed and continued to buy her clothes and things she needed. Seven Months ago, my daughter broke off contact, she gave no reason and I was left wondering why.Three months later I recieved a letter from the CSA, asking to check my circumstances as they may have changed, I responded to the letter and provided them with the information they required, Wage slips etc.
Today I recieved a phone call from the CSA informing me that I was in arrears with my payments and they were going to take an order out to recover the arrears direct from earnings, they then informed me that the arrears amonted to in excess of £3000, I could not understand this and questioned it, they informed me that as I had not informed them or the change of circumstance I was liable for these arrears, I told them they had closed the case, they informed me she had opened it again, they said they had writted to me but I had not recieved anything until the change of circustance letter arrived...
I do not know what to do, if they take this amount of money from earnings I will not be bale to keep the roof of our head as I would default on the mortgage...what can i do?

Hi Russell, I many good people on this site will be able to help and support you, I have only been a member in the last few months and even though im told not much can be done about my arrrears now, this site/people will help if they can and its nice to have others to support when I need it. So from experience I will say this, CSA do not take in to account the money you give to your child. even if its for essentials, only money given to your ex, also they did the same with me, sent a letter out the blue and have done it this year, saying I owe arrears, different amounts and they dont except it you say you didnt recieve a letter or if you told them your circumstances had chaned, unless you can prove anything with CSA its hard, but I would suggest any change what so ever let them know, like if your daughter starts to visit again or contacts you write a letter telling them it and always recorded delivery and keep a recipt.then like others have done and I will try, contact your local MP and see if they can help and ask them for help with changeing the law, if us dads start to fight in parliment for a rights, some one one day may actually listen and help us. sorry Im not more help but try to keep calm and if you cant find help on here go to your nearest CAB (citizen advice bureagh) . good lcuk

I think the general advice for people in this situation is to go to see your MP as soon as possible - do it in person and have everything written down to hand to them so nothing is missed - I was told a long time ago that an enquiry from an MP is automatically given a high priority and this seems to be confirmed by tales from those who have done so. I would take the line that since it is the CSA's error, then a longer time should be allowed for the arrears to be paid.