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Original poster

Question about maintenance/CSA

9 replies

hotCheeseBurns · 12/01/2009 13:46

When I was on income support I had to give details of ds's father so that they could try to arrange maintenance from him. After a year or so they sent me a letter saying that he doesn't have to pay me anything because he is not earning any money or claiming any benefits and is living off savings . I don't think this is true (he was at uni when I met him so will have debts and I have heard through the grapevine about at least one job he's had).

Is this their way of saying "he doesn't want to give us any information and we can't be bothered to chase it up"? Will they ever look at the case again? I'm not on income support any more. Do they get told automatically when he's paying income tax or receiving benefits or do they rely solely on what he tells them?

OP posts:
crkm · 12/01/2009 20:48

I would keep chasing them up. have had similar problems with the csa. I first claimed in 1993 and it took 4 years to get a payment. If you tell them you not happy with their findings they have to look at the case again. good luck.

Original poster
hotCheeseBurns · 13/01/2009 08:53

To be honest, I'm not sure I want any involvement with him at all. I'm just shocked that it's so easy to get away with not paying anything! From reading the CSA's leaflets etc. you'd think they had all sort of powers.

OP posts:
crkm · 13/01/2009 20:19

I dont have any contact with my ex. the csa take straight from his wages now. the money comes via them not him .

Original poster
hotCheeseBurns · 14/01/2009 18:19

Would it make any difference to his "rights" if he paid? For example, if by some bizarre turn of events he wanted to start seeing ds, or if I died and he wanted to have ds would he have a better chance?

So many questions...

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Original poster
hotCheeseBurns · 14/01/2009 21:57

bump

OP posts:
crkm · 15/01/2009 19:12

Not sure as the law changed recently. My dd father is named on birth certificate but because we never married he has no rights at all despite paying maintenance - so he cant make demands on us. she is old enough to make her own choices now and has met him once. the law changed though to give rights to the father even when a couple not married. If you want the case looked at again you need to instigate it. the 'authorities' will only look into it if you go on benefits again. I got about 20 quid a month for years - then i asked the csa to review the case again (as i knew he was working) and started getting 220 quid a month!! If you ring them they will be able to explain the situation to you - and you can make a better informed choice!

Original poster
hotCheeseBurns · 15/01/2009 19:37

I can't decide if it's worth it!

And I don't know how dp would feel...

I remember it being a nightmare trying to speak to anyone at the CSA, on a couple of occasions they actually told me that they didn't have my details! After sending me letters! Maybe I'll give it a go one day when I have nothing else to do...

OP posts:
curlygal · 15/01/2009 19:52

I don't understand why he doesn;t have to pay anything. If he has enough savings to "live on" surely he has enough to at least try to support his child?

Not sure if paying maintenance gives any more rights though.

Original poster
hotCheeseBurns · 15/01/2009 20:47

Doesn't make any sense does it? Even by their own rules!

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