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I've been battling with CMS for over a year now, and I could really use some advice. In 2021 and 2022, CMS charged me twice—once for Universal Credit and again for direct payment—resulting in nearly £500 extra being taken. I provided all the evidence in June 2024 (it took a long time to gather everything), and when I spoke to CMS on the phone, they confirmed they had received the documents. They even told me that if they couldn't contact my ex, they would refund the money to my bank, but that hasn’t happened.
I started a new job in May and contributed to a private pension, but now CMS is saying they won’t count the contributions unless I've paid into it for a year. Unfortunately, the job only lasted three months, and I made two pension payments during that time. Despite reaching out by phone and sending letters (over 20 documents), I've never received an answer about how this will affect my payments. I’ve also been very clear that I’m willing to pay, but I’m waiting for a breakdown.
In September, I got a letter saying CMS were looking into everything and wouldn’t change me to Collect and Pay from Direct Pay. But when I checked the CMS website, they had switched me to Collect and Pay and are now charging me £623 in service fees. I called to say this wasn’t fair, but they kept repeating that it was because I hadn’t paid, even though I’ve been waiting for a calculation.
I’ve now found a new job with a work pension, so I’m okay on that front, but I still can’t accept the £623 charge, especially since I’ve spent two full days and over six hours on the phone with CMS trying to resolve this. My MP has been in contact with them, but CMS lied and said they resolved the double payment issue in 2021. If that’s true, why did the CMS agent in June 2024 ask me to submit evidence and say they would refund me?
Do you think I have a chance if I take this to the Independent Case Examiner (ICE)? Do I need to involve my MP again, or can I go straight to ICE? I’m just so exhausted by all of this, but being charged £623 for Collect and Pay, especially after CMS said they wouldn’t switch me over in September, feels completely unfair.
hi,
you could escalate and ask can MP complain via ombudsman.
I recommend you join this support group for paying parents:
@dadmod2 Thank you. I will do. MP is not helping me anymore (they don't come back to me). Thank you so much of your help and support. I appreciated.
Hello..I've had enough of cms ruining people's lives. So I went on you tube, typed In " trouble with csa". https://youtu.be/C60GoVFkZ84?si=2MwQTkdULgQDzICD
I hope that helps. I think I've done the link properly, I'm bit technophobe. But this guy Noel Wilcox, he knows his stuff and he's now a politician with Reform..just a regular guy. But he wants to take them down. He explains their methods. So I would definitely give it a watch. Good luck ☘️☘️
You’ve had a tough time dealing with CMS. They charged you extra and promised to sort things out but haven’t done so. Now, they’re charging you even more, despite you waiting for them to fix their mistake. It’s unfair, and you’re thinking of taking the case to the Independent Case Examiner (ICE). You could also ask your MP for help again. Keep all your evidence ready and consider complaining to ICE if CMS doesn’t resolve this soon.
I am trying to search out more about this on different websites, such as https://storiescastle.com/ and if i find any solution to tackle this, I will let you know.
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