A to Z Of Mistakes

Here is an A to Z of things that go wrong whilst dealing with the CSA (Child Support Agency)

A) Assessments: Some 87% of maintenance assessments are wrong, most mistakes occur in old rules (pre March 03) assessments, that by no means they do not occur in CS2 cases they do often

B) Bias: The CSA constantly seem bias to the PWC in making decisions, this is not in the interests of fairness and balance. The CSA should be seen as impartial in every single decision made

C) Care: When dealing with sensitive situations at traumatic times in people’s lives the agency should have a duty of care to all involved including any children. This is not the case

D) DEO (detachment of earnings orders): Should be used as last resort, many NRP are compliant and do not need this evasive order used. In many cases the implementation of DEO is an unnecessary abuse of power, and instrumental in creating child poverty

E) Earnings: Many assessments are based on earnings not a true reflection of income. Instances include using none regular overtime and bonuses. This is unfair practice, and can leave NRP families with massive shortfalls

F) Finishing education: Many NRP no longer have contact with qualifying children or ex partners making it difficult to be sure when child support should stop. This can mean a NRP can pay for 3 years too long in some instances. The agency should put in some sort of safeguard to stop this practice. Child support should paid for a child only.

G) Good housekeeping: The agency is notorious for hanging on to monies paid by NRP when it should be passed on to the PWC. This is unforgivable behaviour, all money should be passed to its destination without delay failure to do so is depriving our children. Many PWC need their money on time!!!!!!!!!

H) Housing costs: Recognised on old rules, but tell me where a house is available to rent or buy for £80 per week, not even thought about on CS2, blatant discrimination. All NRPs need homes, and qualifying children need accomadation during contact visits

I) Insane decisions: It is regretful to inform you that all caseworkers are not fully trained in their jobs; many decisions are not short of insanity. Make sure your caseworker gets it right. Check out the legislation yourself, and quote it to them

J) Junk mail: Never ever ignore their mail; you must do as they say failure to do so will result in much stress at a later date. Please do not ignore them or do so at your peril

K) Kids not mine: If you are disputing paternity do so immediately, you will not be able to revisit at a later date.  You must still pay whilst awaiting results. Surely against our fundamental belief of innocent till proven guilty

L) Long delays: The CSA are by no means known for their efficiency, assessments and reassessments have been known to take months, and even years. This is unfair on both parents: the parent with care as no money is forthcoming and the non resident parent has arrears are accruing during the wait.

M) Misadministration: One of the major problems, the agency has one of the worst records in UK history. If this happens in your case, you do have options all is not lost. Do not let them get away with it.

N) Never ever: Talk to them on the phone if the conversation is regarding anything, which could be important to your case. Correspond only by letter signed for. The agency are the world’s best at forgetting things of importance please, please do not be lead to believe all calls are logged

O) Over use of powers: The CSA have no middle ground, for years they under performed leaving thousands of children without any support, this is still relevant today.  Now the agency is also guilty of heavy handedness of already compliant NRP. This needs to stop or there is going to be tragedy

P) Poverty: Sadly there is no denying this agency is creating masses upon masses of poverty, including child poverty we are actively supporting the end child poverty campaign. Both NRP and PWC families are pushed into poverty by the agency we are doing all we can to address this issue with them.

Q) Quoting false law: The agency is currently telling NRP it is law to pay back arrears in two years. This is false it is internal debt steer NOT law; make them aware you know the truth. Remind them quoting false law is a criminal offence.

R) Rude and inept staff: The CSA is not known for their kindness and respect of you, their clients. Do not put up with rude caseworkers on the phone: simply hang up and make a complaint

S) Success stories: Guess what? We to date have none to report, but we are sure there must be one or two about. If you have a successful outcome please let us know we would love to hear good as well as bad

T) Time to fight back: This is your first step to fighting back, as we grow bigger so does our voice. We aren’t activists, we will fight with decorum and determination to get our objectives heard

U) Undoing the wrongs: We can’t put right the past, but we can try and help mend the future and we will try 100%

V) Variations/departures: A mine field, come into the forum for advice it is too complicated for this area

W) We want to hear from you: We want to help you with any problems you are facing. Be it as a PWC, NRP or child. Things do go wrong............. often

X) XXX: Lets kiss em goodbye together

Y) You and your views: Can help us stop things going wrong in the future; we are going to actively request the agency talk to us. That way we can address problems as they happen.

Z) ZTUCK here: But thank you for reading