The CSA

[EndoTheRoad]

Whatever happened to the CSA?

Was it scrapped in the end?

Who replaced it?

My exP has been an ass the past 7/8 years and I think it's time he paid his due!

Thanks in advance for any replies.

nope its still here, check this out www.csa.gov.uk/

Thanks for the replies.

Shame to hear they're still a waste of time.

I had dealings with them when my exP and I first split 8 years ago and they were pretty useless then - apparently, they couldn't get any details even though I gave them his address, tel, business names, etc.

Now wondering whether it's worth contacting them again?

Have had numerous problems with them over the years,never get to speak to the same person twice. A couple of weeks ago fed up with being on hold for ages and always being told a different story I emailed instead of ringing. Within 24 hours I had been called back by a case worker and had a payment in the bank within two weeks. I realise I might just have been really lucky, but when the man rang he had already looked through my file so could answer all my questions unlike the people you get to speak to through the helpline number.

Glad your finally got some joy, ona!

I will remember your tip!

I've had a good experience dealing with the CSA. It all worked very quickly from opening my case in December to receiving my first payment last week. That is something of a rarity and also helped along because my XP already pays for two other children via the CSA and is in the Armed Forces and so pays via deduction of earnings.

Some great advice though can be found on Martin Lewis' Money Saving Expert forums. There's one especially for the CSA and if you're having problems then have a look there.

Many thanks for that, TNMB!

I've had two very different experiences with the CSA. With my first husband it took 12 years and until the kids were in their 20's to get any money and what i did receive was not at all what it should have been given EX's income.

Second time around and a new system but with a compliant EX and my experience has been like that of NEXTMRSBUBLE.

Things have changed for the better but if a father is bent on not paying and can provide his own figures it still seems like it can be an uphill task to get any maintenance at all.

Buggery, bollox and shite.

Just rang the CSA and found out that because DS and I moved abroad last year, there's no case and I'll get diddly-squat! Although, I "could try".

I explained that we've only been abroad for 1 year and he nothing the 7 years since we split. Same response.

What the heck am I supposed to do now?!

The CSA took 8 years before they managed to get any money out of my ex, and even then it was only 60 quid a month (not complaining much )

He paid this for 8 months as an 'attachment' to earnings, then moved abroad for a year, that was 3 years ago, again the DS's are still waiting for anything.

They very quickly deducted money from my income support when I did not give them his address/work details (DV-had been told by him not to, or we would get it) they were taking £20 a week from my money until i got them his details.

The govt wants parents to reach agreements without using CSA but there is loads of men out there who will not pay, and the CSA is a last resort, then they argue that the CSA is 'taking all their money' (apparently while the DS's got £60 a month , he was paying out £250 a month) They don't see that if they just paid in the first place it would be better for everyone.

The total paid my my boys dad is less than a grand , including money he has hardly ever given them ie pocket money , birthdays.

His argument is 'why should I pay when the government will'

rant over, sorry OP you have to be really persistent with the CSA and yes they are still shit

Endotheroad where has he moved to? you can apply through the court system for maintenance depending on what country they go to. I did'nt do this as he was only abroad (commonwealth country) for a year and apparently wasn't working so it simply was not worth it.

missbusiness is quite correct. If the non resident parent lives abroad and is paid by a company not based in the UK the CSA won't take on the case. However, you can apply to court for an order either here or abroad and there are international conventions between many countries and the UK for the reciprocal enforcement of maintenance orders.

My son is seven and the csa have been as useful as a fish on a bike really. I believe at the last count he me owes £3K in arrears! time really....

Thanks for your responses!

Well, most people's experiences of the CSA is pretty dire.

missbusiness, STIDW, it is me who moved abroad. ExP is still in England.

I guess all we can do now is approach family lawyers here and hope one of them can advise.

ETR

I don't know your circumstances, but if you moved abroad with the military, or similar you will still be entitled to CSA

Me xx

Do you live in a REMO country? It should be fairly straightforward if you do. See here for a list of countries that it applies too.

www.officialsolicitor.gov.uk/os/remo_countries.htm

List of useful contacts here for the main countries if any of these apply to you.
www.officialsolicitor.gov.uk/os/remo_contacts.htm

I looked into REMO but fortunately my ds's father was nagged by his parents to do the right thing saw sense and offered to start paying something (though still not what he should) towards his upbringing.