CSA Tribunals and Appeals

Many lone parent families rely on periodic maintenance support in order to be able to provide all the necessary things a growing child requires.

The Child Support Agency (CSA) assesses, calculates, collects and distributes maintenance payments to the parent with care, from the non resident parent, and this regular payment is used to cover the costs of raising a child.

Sometimes however, collecting child support payments proves difficult, and on these occasions attending a tribunal or appeal hearing may be required.

How To Appeal

If either parent wants to appeal against a decision made by the Child Support Agency they must either put the request in writing or fill out the form at the back of the How can I appeal against a child maintenance decision? Leaflet, which is available from the CSA. The information the parent provides must include their child maintenance number, the decision they are appealing against, the reasons why they think the decision is wrong and the date the letter informing them of the decision was written.

This information must be signed by the parent, or someone who has been asked to represent them. This letter must then be sent to the CSA within one month of the date of the letter that was sent to inform the parents about the Child Support Agency’s decision.

Parents should also be aware that the amount of maintenance that is expected to be paid may increase, as well as decrease, as a result of an appeal.

What Happens At The Hearing?

All the evidence given in the appeal submission will be looked at during the appeal hearing. The Social Security and Child Support Appeals Tribunal (SSCSA) will provide everyone attending with a copy of the evidence.

There are two kinds of hearings – a paper one where the decision will be based on written information and evidence, and an oral one where parents can put their case forward and explain what decisions they are not happy with. Unless an oral hearing is specifically asked for the Appeals Tribunal will be decided by a paper hearing.

Who Attends?

An appeal tribunal can be made up of: a legally qualified member, or a legally qualified member who is a chairperson along with a financial representative or accountant. These members are appointed by the Tribunals Service and the appeal hearing is heard in public, which means that anyone can turn up, including the press. If parents would prefer a private hearing this can be requested on the day of the hearing, and will be decided by the tribunal chairperson.

If a parent is unable to attend the hearing – due to transport delays etc – they must contact the Tribunal Clerk as soon as possible.

How The Tribunal Makes A Decision

The decision is made by the SSCSA after the hearing and the parents are informed in writing. If it is an oral hearing the decision will be given at the end of the hearing, and a letter confirming the decision will be sent to the parents afterwards.