A friend of mine has had a couple of weeks off work (shite job no sick pay) due to illness and can’t meet the CSA payment that is due to come out of his bank account next month, what are the options.?

Phone them and tell them? Always the best strategy.

Phone them and tell them? Always the best strategy

Tried that and spoke to a brick wall, computer says nooo…

Horatio’s good, but I don’t believe he’s that good…….. 😳
If phoning hasn’t worked, write them a letter/email, at least you’ll have something to fall back when it finally goes pear shaped as it probably will.
Maybe have a word with Citizens Advice.
Good luck.

and ensure that his bank is aware and will neither take it, nor charge him (multiple times) for the rejection

stop the direct debit for next month, give them a bell and pay the arrears next month/whenever he can. Is he off work long-term? He should formally notify them of a change in circumstances if he is, as they won’t stop the clock on his old payment schedule until he does.

If he calls them and gets through to anyone who’s jobsworth/stroppy/useless, put the phone down and call back til he speaks to someone reasonable/competent.

As above, good luck!