One highly irritating features of the CSA is their lack of common sense and refusal to negotiate. I started work and was quite willing to pay a realistic amount to my ex. The CSA refused to take into consideration my travelling expenses of 160 quid per month oyster,quoting the law states it must be 15% of earnings. The wages were not great and this basically made the job untenable . I would not be able to pay rent, council tax with what was left. Is it not possible to say we can take up to 15% but we can make a sensible judgement. It seemed carzy to me particularly since I got off my backside from JSA to start the job. I lost out, my daughter lost out , my ex lost out. I put a case to the independent case examiner. One outcome was that the CSA should send me a copy of their service standard documentation. They sent me one dated 2007, indicating to me that they have not bothered to even start thinking about how to improve their service to the public. The DWP and CSA needs shaking up

hi I don't know who came up with the amount of 35 pounds to deduct.I can confirm that they have deducted that amount and have a statement from the DWP confirming this. I can only confirm that for some reason my ex-wife decided to get the CSA to collect the money instead of me sending it to her direct. By the way I haven't even cancelled the 5 pounds going to her direct from my account ,since knowing the CSA that could cause another problem. Just like on previous occasions I have written to the CSA & DWP nothing in writing from either of them so far. Also my MP -he has no info from DWP or CSA to tell me either. On my letters I have asked various questions like who decided to deduct, when, is there a recognized minimum amount that someone can live on etc If I don't get a reply I want to take this further. Previously I had issues with the DWP on information; without going into details I asked what information they had about me on their database (i asked this since I knew there was an error). To give you an example of the mentality of the DWP, I got a reply from the DWP written to me quoting in their letter my NI, my name and address.They said in this letter they needed more information and to write it on an enclosed form.Guess what they wanted to know -my N.I number, name and address. I lost the plot at that stage. I have all letters to and from the DWP of the previous case. What i really want to know is if the CSA /DWP have breached any laws; I have been reading up on the Human Rights but it doesn't look like that law applies.

hi no i don't owe money; I was diligently paying my ex-wife 5 pounds direct without fail. For reasons unknown she decided to instruct the CSA to collect the money. Without any consultation ,phone call, or anything else the DWP sent a statement that 35 pounds would be deducted. Due to nonsense from the DWP over a previous issue i've developed zero tolerance to them. From where i'm standing its building up to harassment case, certainly i'm ready to take any legal action I can

The CSA instructed the DWP to deduct 35 pounds from my 67.50 pounds jobseekers leaving me with 32.50 pounds to live on. A couple of thoughts: 1) my DWP/job seekers statement quotes "..its based on the amount the law says you need to live on" . When it states the "law" which law /act ? Can any one elaborate for me? 2)If the CSA/DWP have eluded together so that I am receiving less than what the law says to live on ,then technically both parties are in breach of that law are they not? Then can I not take legal action against them? Recently I have experienced atrocious treatment from the DWP ending up with the Independent Case Examiner, my feelings are the DWP and CSA are not interested in getting themselves to be efficiently run organizations( they are probably more interested in getting fat pensions) unless they receive some motivation to do so.

writing to CSA got a response for me: Mr Noel Shannon Chief Executive CSA Po Box 247 Washington Tyne & Wear NE37 NAT