Child Support Agency

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The CSA Big Picture

The CSA was set up to act in the financial support of children following separation of their parents.

The CSA is now called CMEC - presumably the change of name will make everything now work correctly.

The CSA works under the illusion that you are either the Resident Parent (RP) or the Non Resident Parent (NRP), the definition of this usually follows who gets Child Benefit. If the child spends 104 nights a year (2/7 year) with the NRP they will have a reduction of 1/7 of the assessment.

There are two systems, in outline:

  • Old system - the NRP paid the RP on the basis of a complicated formula. This was supposed to cease and cases move to the new system, but most existing cases stayed on the old system.
  • New system - started in March 2003. Essentially the NRP paid 15% for one child, 20% for two and 25% for three. All from Nett income.
  • New system (Act in 2008, likely implementation in 2010 -- it somehow got changed).
  • There are 4 rates based on net weekly income. Net is gross minus: Income tax, National Insurance and Pension:
    • Basic rate: income £200 - £2,000: 1 child 15% of net, 2 children 20% of net, 3+ children 25% of net. Allowances for other children that the NRP may be responsible for.
    • Reduced rate: income £100 - £200: £5 + a proportion of the income above £100: 1 child 25%, 2 children 35%, 3+ children 45%. Also allowances for other children.
    • Flat rate: income £5 - £100: £5 no matter how many children there are.
    • Nil rate: income less that £5: nothing to pay.

The maximum assessable income by the CSA is £2,000/week. For a full explanation see [1].

See CSA and Child benefit

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Organisations that help with CSA problems

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Notes

  • It is better to deal with the CSA on paper, they have a reputation for forgetting things said over the 'phone.
  • If you are in litigation over spousal maintainance, you should consider a Segal Order.
  • The CMEC confirmed that they preferred direct debits or DEOs, but they would accept standing orders if requested. -- At a meeting with FNF, March 2009
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The future of the Child Support Agency

In late 2006 & early 2007 the government Department of Work and Pensions conducted a consultation on how the successor to the CSA (C-MEC) should work. They seem to have been selective on the responses quoted and done what they wanted to in the first place. It seems unlikely that this will really improve matters in difficult cases and has great potential to make things worse.

In January 2011 this (Henshaw report) was turned into a green paper

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Press Comment about the CSA

  • Guardian Absent fathers need not just be seen as walking wallets
  • Melanie Phillips Feckless women, not men, are to blame for this CSA calamity
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Notes on Dealing with the CSA

  • Deal with them on paper - this cannot be over emphasised
  • When you receive a letter from them: "you need to instinctively put it under your pillow for two-three days, go out fishing, and do nothing about it for the duration. Just sleep on it." Good advice: haste will result in mistakes.
  • S.40 of the Administration of Justice Act 1970 will help you if the CSA harasses you with many letters & phone calls. See [2] [3] [4]
  • It can be useful to get a copy of their records on you, do that with a Subject Access Request.
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Court Cases

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Paying the CSA

The CSA will attempt to get payments via a direct debit or a deduction of earnings.

They will also accept standing orders, although it appears that some members of CSA staff are not aware of this. Standing orders are to be preferred since you are in control and not so much at the mercy of their errors. Make standing order payments as follows:

Bank: HSBC
Name: Client Fund Account
Sort: 40-34-18
A/C: 41775448

You must give a payment reference, this is your CSA case number with '01' appended to the end.

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