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i dont know what to do the CMS have just sent me a letter saying they want 40% of my wages for my daughter who i have not had any contact with for the last 6+ years, i have been paying a regular amount all that time without fail through CSA. they now want to double the sum i have been paying!!!! how is that fair??? i always wanted contact with my daughter and her mother had other ideas i went to court for access and exhusted so much emotional time. i resigned myself to the fact that my ex would have now dripped poison into my daughters ears as t why i do not have contact. the last time all tihs happened seriously effected me so much i self harmed (stupidly i might add) i do not want to get into that depressive state again. i have a wonderful partner of 2 years and we in the process of buying a house together. 40% of my wages will effect our household income to such a degree that this is putting a strain on our relationship i am angry all the time and go to the bedroom as i dont want to talk to anyone.
i need help but dont know where to turn... how can they justify this??? i dont begrudge paying at all as she is my daughter but 40%
You need to ask for the calculation in writing. 40% is only applied if you are in arrears, so if you've been paying regularly through CMS, I can't see that you are in arrears through anything other than a error at their end. I would also look at the complaints procedure so you know what is involved in case you need to go down that route. The main question is why they think you owe the money.
Gather evidence, if you have been paying maintenance then provide prrof via bank statements which should clearly indicate 'maintenance'. Go through the self service portal which is a online service and talk to them regularly to work out a plan.
You could also go and see your MP and ask them for help.
Did the CSA review the amount annually and increase the amount you paid, or did it stay the same over the years?
I agree with actd, at 40% of your earnings, it looks like they are adding an amount of arrears into their calculations,so definitely you should ask for a full breakdown of the arrears.
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