OMG - Anyone still around who remembers the DNA test ....

fiona_lk · Post by **fiona_lk** » Fri Nov 14, 2003 11:14 am

... fiasco last year - well the CSA have JUST this morning contacted Les for an assessment!!!! They could've waited another few months until I was on mat pay and AFTER Christmas - bummer! Can you believe it? Hi to everyone out there Fiona xx [Edited by fiona_lk on 14-Nov-03 03:16]

luce · Post by **luce** » Fri Nov 14, 2003 11:23 am

Hi Fiona Nope, afraid I haven't a clue what you're talking about but I can guess. Knowing the CSA they won't get their fingers out and acts together for ages, or at least I hope not. Just make sure you contact them again when you go on mat leave Take care - am off on hols tonight, yeeehhhaaa Love and hugs to you and Xander Luce xxx

Alison · Post by **Alison** » Fri Nov 14, 2003 12:06 pm

God what crappy timing. I'm not sure whether as a woman I should be advoacting this, but any chance of stalling them for a few months? Alison

fiona_lk · Post by **fiona_lk** » Mon Nov 17, 2003 11:37 am

Awwww, thanks for your replies guys. Alison - Don't worry we're all for what the CSA are doing, but sometimes they are just so crap at doing it! Luce - I've already sent you an FF IM message so hope you got it before your hols. We got the results of the DNA test a year last August (so 2002) and Les has been phoning up every 4 weeks since to arrange a face to face review - it been their delay upto now and it seems they just pick the most awkward times to get their act together. Les asking for a review actually started the year before that when he told the CSA that he strongly suspected his daughter wasn't his and wanted a DNA test done (and would pay). Unfortunately he got a snotty cow who kept saying it made no difference and at Christmas 2001 sent Les a massive bill for 'assumed' back payments (despite having been previously assessed as zero payments due to his low income). In the end, after a LOT of heartache (and Les and I nearly splitting) the CSA backed down and actually paid for the DNA test themselves because of the way he'd been treated. So this morning he got his review and again the CSA rep couldn't believe how rubbish they'd treated Les - after all WHO else chases the CSA!!!! He's now got a direct line for this rep for when another review is needed when I go on mat leave, so that is a better situation, hopefully! Oh well, thats my latest news. Lots of love and luck Fiona xx

bertie · Post by **bertie** » Mon Nov 17, 2003 1:35 pm

Fiona I sympathise. My husband pays the CSA for his daughter, who his ex wont let him see. She is actually 16 in Jan. He used to pay a set amount every week direct to his ex until the CSA got involved and cocked everything up. After paying for years, he got a letter saying he had been assessed as a nil payment. 18 month later we got a bill saying we owed nearly £8k!!!!!! in back payments. I'm sorry but I agree that all fathers should pay something towards their children but the CSA get my back up chasing people who are paying!!! My dh was like Les, upfront and chasing them all the time. We have our babe in April so when we inform them of a 'change in circumstances' then everything will start again!! I think the CSA was once of the worst inventions - sorry. We have had major arguments about the CSA and very nearly didnt get married because of them. Sorry for my moan. Bertie xx

fiona_lk · Post by **fiona_lk** » Mon Nov 17, 2003 2:36 pm

Hi Bertie, Glad its not just only us they send whopping great bills to (although sorry you had to experience it too) - did yours give you 12 days to pay or the bailiffs would come round (like the final reminder came first)? From what I remember, our bill was dated 12th December - b****ds. Les was an absolute mess for ages after that letter! Talk about spoiling Christmas. Les also doesn't see his daughter (long story, but I guess you'd know about them) and also the CSA absolutely screwed him when he 1st split up, so much so he was left with barely enough to live on - think most of us have heard of those type of horror stories - and refused to believe that his ex-wife was failing to declare her income that she got from her fathers business! So Les made the decision to go into a really naff job, just so he'd at least be able to afford to live. Since then he's gone back to being a driving instructor which doesn't pay well on paper - hence the nil payment assessment! Bertie, we should keep in touch - we could start the IVF-CSA-support group (even if there is just the 2 of us!) Lots of love Fiona xxx PS - Les' daughter is only 10, so we've got a few more years of this unfortunately

bertie · Post by **bertie** » Fri Nov 21, 2003 2:25 pm

fiona You are right - they are b******s. The trouble with the CSA is that they dont see things from our side. Ian and myself have had some right ding dongs in the past about them. At one point we nearly split up and he ended up crying down the phone to someone from the CSA saying that they were ruining his life. Having the CSA on top of IVF is horrendous. I dont disapprove giving his daughter money but I dont think it should be the ex that gets it. Also, our first is due in April and as Ian earns more now than at his last assessment we dont know whether to tell the CSA when ours is born or what. I know this sounds awful but this would mean they'd p**s about doing another assessment and his ex would probably end up with more money. The best bit of our tale is that his ex has 3 kids by 3 different guys. Ian was the 1st dad - the 2nd dad wouldnt let her take his son (he was only about 3yrs), so he has him and she is now with the 3rd. When she met the 3rd both her and him willfully walked out on their jobs as they got more money on the social!!!!!!! Guess who pays - US!!!! God she winds me up! Shes one of those who has everything. Anyway, I better get back to work. luv Bertie xx

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