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Yes the CSA is a complicated machine to say the least, let us know how the talk with your boss goes.
I wouldn't say I was against the CSA but it needs drastic reforms.
I have been on both sides of the CSA. 11 years I never received any maintenance whatsoever despite letting CSA know where my ex was working, living etc. I got so fed up with it and the hope of them eventually getting maintenance that I withdrew the claim.
Now I am with my partner and we have another child. He has a daughter from a previous 'encounter'! The CSA are chasing him for £39,000 arrears. Currently they are taking 40% of his salary. The arrears accrued because he worked away and never lived any one place any length of time. Because of this he never even knew the claim was in! When we got the calculations through it worked out they were charging him maintenance when he was unemployed and do not have his correct income details although we have sent them proof of what he was actually earning and had it verified by HMRC. Trying to get the CSA to sort it out is appalling.
They are leaving us with almost no money and it is at the stage where there is no point in him working as it doesn't leave us enough to cover our youngest nursery fees!! When we phoned and told them it was unaffordable all they said was that it was affordable after deducting tax and national insurance. No living expenses taken into account at all. They also said they would take enforcement action by putting an order over our house (which is legally only mine), take his car (he doesn't have one) and will then take our tax credits which we get based on our income for our kids but they also want a percentage of that!!
The CSA are probably splitting up more families because of their crazy calculations and they way they work.
In no way am I saying that an absent parent should not pay maintenance but from my point of view the parent with care can work, get tax credits, have a new partner and their income whereas the absent parent has to make payments they cannot afford and their families struggle.
Firstly welcome to One Space Mrs Cad 
Unfortunately there are people in similair situations to yourself and i think many would agree with you in that the CSA have had issues in getting the balance right.
You could contact our CSA Expert who has a wealth of experience in dealing with CSA cases, they may be able to give you some pointers in how you could go about getting the payments reduced.
hi i am new on here i have only been registered on here a few days but i a have just made a complaint to directgov about csa and actually had a phone call back within 5 working days [gob smacked] i am like a lot of others on here want to take this further if i do not get any joy with this complaint i read some threads on here about alot of people getting together and taking this to the tele it has to be done i notice a few of these posts are over a year old is anyone still interested in taking this further because i am going to pursue this avenue if i have no joy i have been dealing with the csa for nearly 2 years and that is enough to drive you round the bend,i see alot off other people have been putting up with this for] alot longer i am also going to look for this facebook webpage and get on it .we have to do somethink so many people give up and i do understand why [but maybe that is what they want ]
Hi kas, what is your concern with CSA are you a PWC or NRP? Be wary of the facebook groups they are not always so helpful.
As for television, I doubt very much if you will get anywhere, its been tried before, but if you decide to go down that route, I wish you all the best.
As for the CSA, well, its a complicated piece of legislation and a very slow moving machine, I'm sure if you give some more details, then someone might be able to shed some light for you.
The CSA are a law unto themselves all they care about is getting money back for the government to waste.
I have tried phoning newspapers but they are not interested.
I think the wheels fell off a long time ago and no one has tried to fix it.
I`m sure they like making peoples lives a misery.
I whish all the best to everyone.
Bodie.
I would encourage anyone who is having difficulties re the CSA to get in touch with our CSA guru Jean, by emailing her here and she will let you know if there is anything you can do to move things along.
I have read so many heartbraking stories from both PWC and NRP and feel that the CSA really is letting those who need their assistance the most, down. There are some self-centered, greedy, parents out there (PWC and NRP) who have manipulated the system to get more money or avoid payment.
There is however, a larger number of parents who just want to be able to maintain a standard of living with their children around them to enjoy it!! Not all mothers are reasonable and not all fathers are considerate.... we are human beings driven by emotion and that is possibly one of the reasons (one of MANY) that the CSA have failed us.
The one thing I truly cannot get my head around is why the expenses (essential expenses, NOT luxuries) of the NRP are not taken into accound when assessed?? EVERYONE has bills to pay.... mortgage, council tax, elecricity/gas, water, food..... these all need to be paid for....
The poor PWC is left expecting more than the NRP can afford because the CSA has set down a rediculous formula for calculating what 'should' be paid!!!
It is great if parents are both willing to agree and compromise and make a family-based agreement and this is what the Government is now encouraging through the Child Maintenance Options service. I totally agree that the CSA formula is very rigid and takes no account of leaving the parent without the majority day to day care in poverty OR of leaving the parent WITH the care in need.
Thanks Anna,
i mean to have my hours cut, the CSA is a joke and leave people who wish not to pay anything. so are we really paying for the people who will not pay?
My MP is useless. I have to go back to them and point out the lies they have been told by CSA.
It is so frustrating because there is really nothing we can do.
Bodie x