Right I am sick already of the CSA really. The things I have learned in the last few weeks I wish I had known months ago so I wanted to start this thread and everyone can add to it as they see fit. Good idea? bad idea?
So I will start with
a) Do not even attempt to contact CSA until you have set up child benefit. CSA will not touch you until you have the Child Benefit number that you get when that is set up. Incidentally this can take 3 weeks to get so almost a month delay there to start with
b) Do not do it online!!! Apparently they only pick up online apps once a month!! mines has never been picked up yet! (submitted 3 weeks ago!)
c) Note that the CSA have confirmed that payment is only backdated to when the father says he is the father of the child, not when you submitted forms. So if your ex denies it and refuses for as long as poss they wont back date for the months you been out of pocket
d) Rules have changed for Self Employed people - there are ways to get round this and fathers may claim low earnings - you can challenge this - hard work but worthwhile
e) All going well with a-d above average time for CSA to write to ex is within 4 - 12 weeks with cases taking abother 12 weeks afterwards to pay out so please realise you are in this for the long haul
f) If a DNA is required then CSA will write to FOB and ask if he is father if he says no then he will be given option of DNA. If it comes back positive then CSA pay if its negative then he has to pay.
Anything anyone else can add?
So I will start with
a) Do not even attempt to contact CSA until you have set up child benefit. CSA will not touch you until you have the Child Benefit number that you get when that is set up. Incidentally this can take 3 weeks to get so almost a month delay there to start with
b) Do not do it online!!! Apparently they only pick up online apps once a month!! mines has never been picked up yet! (submitted 3 weeks ago!)
c) Note that the CSA have confirmed that payment is only backdated to when the father says he is the father of the child, not when you submitted forms. So if your ex denies it and refuses for as long as poss they wont back date for the months you been out of pocket
d) Rules have changed for Self Employed people - there are ways to get round this and fathers may claim low earnings - you can challenge this - hard work but worthwhile
e) All going well with a-d above average time for CSA to write to ex is within 4 - 12 weeks with cases taking abother 12 weeks afterwards to pay out so please realise you are in this for the long haul
f) If a DNA is required then CSA will write to FOB and ask if he is father if he says no then he will be given option of DNA. If it comes back positive then CSA pay if its negative then he has to pay.
Anything anyone else can add?
