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I am currently in full time employment and have not fallen behind in my CSA payments, however i am experiencing financial difficulties and have had to go on debt payment plans with all of my creditors. Where do i stand with the CSA? Am i likely to get help of them or will they not take any of these matters in hand, i am weary of contacting them because all they have done in the past have made my life more misarable. Kind regards G Wright. :unsure:
Hi and welcome
Unfortunately, I don't think you can make such arrangements with the CSA as I believe that child maintenance is not considered as a debt in the same way that other debt is treated, I believe that even bankruptcy doesn't reduce or remove maintenance debt.
I will ask our experts at CMO to comment, and if you wish to ask any question for the CCCS team, please post here and we'll ask them for advice also.
Hi, I'm Sarah, a consultant at Child Maintenance Options.
Unfortunately, payment of regular maintenance amounts cannot be negotiated.
Are you able to speak to your child's other parent about making a family-based arrangement instead of using the CSA? Family-based arrangements (where you agree on child maintenance between yourselves) allows you to be more flexibile in terms of how much you pay and when you pay it. You could agree to pay the other parent a smaller amount until your circumstances change. And this way your child will still benefit from regular child maintenance.
For more information about family-based arrangements - and tips on how to talk to your ex-partner about money - visit Child Maintenance Options at www.cmoptions.org. Or you can speak to someone in confidence by calling 0800 988 0988.
In the meantime, I suggest that you contact the CSA to ensure that your details are up to date so you are paying the right amount.
I hope this answer helps.
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