My ex-husband is £18k in arrears with the CSA. Recently the CMA have caught up with him and a deduction of earnings has meant £461 coming into my account for the last 3 months, £249 of this being is regular amount and the rest arrears. All good.
Today however I have received a letter to say he has re-negotiated his arrears, and his total payments will be £269 per month - providing only £20 per month towards his arrears. Problem with this being there will now be a gap, so no payment in August with the new payments starting in September and I simply cannot afford to do without it. It is the school holidays and for the first time ever I've been able to work and put the kids in holiday Club, using some of the money he's been paying and relying on the August payment for the rest (the total holiday fees are £960).
I am now in a position where I can't work, as I can't afford the holiday club fees. I've no family, I've done my best to try stay in work. I've paid debts off using the money that did come in from him, and relied on the August money to allow me to work.
Why do they allow this gap? Especially when he's not paid for the last 8 years and has only just started. Also, where's the proof he can't afford the higher payments? Apparently they don't request wage slips, only P60, so if he is earning more this year, he will owe that and it'll be added to his arrears.
I really don't know what I'm going to do. I've cried on the phone to them, explained I cannot afford a gap in payments, especially during the school holidays, and all I am told is it's procedure 😥