How we collect and use informationWhy we collect information
We collect information to
- trace non-resident parents
- work out how much the non-resident parent should pay
- make sure that the non-resident parent pays the right amount at the right time.
Where do we get information from?
When we want to start working out how much child maintenance a non-resident parent should pay, we always ask them and the parent with care for the information we need first. But if parents don't give us this information, the law allows us to ask other people or organisations for it. These people or organisations include:
- the employers of the non-resident parent and parent with care
- other parts of Department of Social Development (DSD)
- HM Revenue & Customs
- Northern Ireland Housing Executive
- Land and Property Services
- accountants
- credit reference agencies
- Driver and Vehicle Agency (DVA)
- prison services, and
- companies or partnerships that the non-resident parent has been contracted to provide services to, which are not the non-resident parent's employer.
We don't have to get the non-resident parent's or parent with care's permission to contact these people or organisations.
Who can we share the information with?
We take the protection of personal information very seriously. Most of the time we will not tell anyone a parent's address or phone number. But, if a court orders us to release an address, we have to do so. If the law allows, we may also give information about parents to some other organisations, including
- other parts of DSD such as Social Security Agency
- Northern Ireland Housing Executive (for Housing Benefit purposes)
- Land and Property Services (for Housing Benefit purposes)
- HM Revenue & Customs
- a court or tribunal (in relation to child maintenance)
- debt-collection agencies and other organisations helping us to collect child maintenance.
We can also pass on information about you if we think it will help to prevent or detect crime.
How you can access personal information
Under the Data Protection Act 1998, you can ask what personal information we hold about you. You must ask us in writing for the information and give us information that helps us to be sure of your identity, including:
- your full name
- your date of birth
- your address
- the NICSA case number
- your National Insurance number.
You should give enough detail to help us to identify and find the information - for example, the NICSA office you deal with.
Do you have to provide information to us?
Yes. It is a criminal offence if we ask someone to provide information and they fail to do so or give us information that they know is false. This applies to any person or organisation who, by law, must give us information. It covers people such as employers and accountants as well as non-resident parents and parents with care.
If you fail to give us the information we need, or you give us information that you know is false, you could be fined up to £1,000.
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