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Child maintenance updates for September! As we move through the month, there are several important changes and key dates to be aware of, especially if you’re involved with the Child Maintenance Service (CMS) or receiving child benefits. In this video, I’ll cover everything you need to know—from the termination of child benefits on August 31st, to the process of reporting that your child has left education, and the impact this can have on your child maintenance payments.
We’ll dive into why CMS cases close when children finish their education and how you can stay ahead by submitting reports via the CMS portal. I’ll also explain why arrears may appear, why the CMS might not be working as quickly as expected, and what to do if you're still being asked to pay child maintenance even though your child is heading off to university (or has already left for college or higher education).
Could I please ask a question on child maintenance?
I currently pay through CMS the maximum amount, have never missed a payment and only recently had more days allocated to me (all confirmed through CMS).
My question is that my child requires a wrap around support for a mid day assistant when in school. Even though this is a nominal fee I am being asked to contribute towards this.
I already pay for after school club on my days. Also I pay half towards school trips and uniform. I pay for a weekend dance club on my weekends also.
I don't agree that this should be covered by myself even at half the monetary value due to the mother getting UC child element, child benefit and maintenance before she has to put in any of her own finances.
Is this something that either the child benefit or maintenance should cover?
Any response would be grateful, please do not signpost me to any social media groups as I do not have any accounts.
Thankyou in advance
hi,
your child maintenance payments cover all the costs of raising child when in care of resident parent. you can pay more if you wish.
I was on a payment plan with CMS (direct payment to receiving parent), and on the 28th of October 2024, I received a text from the CMS agency stating that my case was closed as of the 2nd of September and that I should stop paying. According to the agency the child as reported left full time education (reported by Child Benefit HMRC). To my surprise a week later I got a new application with the same reference number but the agency had no record of my mobile number(after 16 years of dealing with them) without any explanation. They appear to have failed to complete due diligence and restart a new application to reconfirm all my details within less than a week of closing a file. There is no explanation & only expectation to start a new payment calculating from 12th November 2024.
What can I do to challenge a false application or how do I get evidence that proper due diligence has been completed by CMS agency?
Ps note: I have no access to the child has my ex has moved houses and changes school plus mobile number in anticiaption of things kind of gap in the system
please help
hi,
either CMS got it wrong, or maybe childs mum got him back into full time education, to keep child benefits active?
you should call CMS and ask for explanation, ask to speak to case worker.:
08001712345
@dadmod2 I called them, and they said they don't link closed cases with new applications. They said that since the application is online, users can start claiming that the child is in full-time education without the need to show evidence. In fact they said they could look at the closed file but the agent made known of my information so that the caseworker could review my comment. I was still required to complete the assessment so that they could work out the new maintenance amount. Im still hoping they do the right check
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