Getting advice from CSA

Hello All

A few years ago my ex tried to stop me seeing my children and it coincided with her going to the CSA for money from me. I took her to court and initially I ended up with them one night a week so our CSA calculation was based on that. After about a year I took her to court again and have them 5 nights out of a 2 week period plus half of all holidays. I never changed the amount even though it should have gone down. I am now struggling a bit even though my salary has increased as the children are getting older and more expensive and I still pay for their school activities, football, etc.

I want to know if I can get advice from CSA as it all seems complicated now with them wanting to know gross weekly income when before it was net minus pension then divided by number of nights, etc.

I do not want to give NI number, etc.
I just want advice at this stage. Can anybody advise?

Thank you M.

Think they have a calculator you can use on the options site that would give you a guideline.

The short answer is no, you need to go to the CM Options website or contact them by phone for information and advice rather than the CSA or child maintenance Service. Parents are now being encouraged to make their own arrangements rather than use the CSA/CMS who now charge fees for applications and collecting child maintenance.


Do you have an open case with the CSA? If so the old rules would apply until the case is transferred to the CMS.

Thank you.

I did ring the CM options Team who were really helpful and gave me a ''guide''.

We actually have our own arrangement in place but it''s based on the CSA calculation as per my initial post.

It seems I am paying a bit too much - around £30/ month. I could really do with that is it would at least cover my sosn''s football subs but putting ex''s money down could make her change and upset what is currently a calm situation. Decisions!

Thanks for the help....

Tricky decision. I have been there.

Remember CSA payment covers activities etc so if you need to talk to her use this as a negotiating tool.

I understand but I ahve to pay for most of that anyway!

My ex didn''t declare all his income and subsequently paid less than the CSA rates. That meant I covered about 80% of the costs of raising the children. Rather than upset the applecart I took the view that as long as I could get by I would manage without.