[Solved] CM payments and COVID

hi,

from dealing with CMS, they are like robots. if your jobless and have some paperwork from your employer to prove it, then they will listen to you. or if your jobless and you claim universal credit/benefits, they will ask for proof of that.

if you have trouble getting through to their phones, try their self-service portal:

https://childmaintenanceservice.direct.gov.uk/iam-las/public/provider/interaction/33a8qOxR4Vol2O6lYT9Cb

big purple message on the site:

We will adjust child maintenance payments for any paying parent whose income has changed by 25% as a result of coronavirus. We are currently dealing with a high volume of calls. Please report any changes by registering or logging into your self-service account online, except in the following cases, in which case ring us: - If your income has changed by 25% for any reason, including coronavirus - If child maintenance should no longer be paid due to a change in circumstances - If you are reporting a bereavement - If you adopt a child. Visit www.gov.uk for the latest advice about coronavirus

Hi Bill thanks for that since writing that email I have been furoughed. There doesnt seem to be info about that on their site. I have been locked out of my self portal for some reason so cant even message them and cannot get through on the phone line.
at the start of May I will not have anywhere enough to give my ex what she norally gets....
what should I do?

hi,

on the CMS self service portal, there should be option to reset your password

https://childmaintenanceservice.direct.gov.uk/iam-las/public/provider/interaction/lC1b49B2M0eK2L-OpjvYW

once you get your account sorted, log in and send CMS a message.

Hi Bill - I did try that and I got this message

"There is a problem
The information you entered below does not match the information held by the Child Maintenance Service. Your account is locked and you won't be able to sign in. Please contact the Child Maintenance Service on 0800 171 2345."

ill have to keep ringing!

I've had this issue in the past, they will issue a new PIN but this will arrive via the post so could take a while.

this is causing me more stress than being furloughed

My ex is going to come for me for the full whack and doesnt believe me when Ive told her I will be furloughed

hi,

CMS phone lines must be real busy. if you been furloughed or income lost, all you can do is keep ringing them until you get through.

Hello all,

I have been trying to get a straight answer out of.....well, anyone really, about CMS payments during this crisis. I am self-employed and my industry- the live events, music and film industry- has completely shut down. I therefore have no income and no prospect of any income for the foreseeable future.
I have been in touch with the CMS to explain. They told me to get in touch with the Universal Credit people because they at the time have had no policy from the government and could not make any reductions or delaying of payments.
I then went to the Universal Credit people who told me that they were not responsible for maintenance payments, and I should get in touch with the CMS!
The up[shot of this is that no-one is taking responsibility for these payments. At this rate, anything that I do get from the Universal Credit payments will go directly to my ex-wife, thereby leaving me with no way to pay my mortgage, bills etc.
Is there any way of getting any help from any agency who might be able to assist me, please?
Looking forward to any helpful replies.
Regards to all, stay safe,
M.

hi,

yep I know how they are. im director of a ltd company. they said as my business is still open, i could be getting income from it. i would have to shut it down, before they can give any support. cant be bothered. just trying to get a new job...

they also have that insome support scheme for self-employed. you could look into that

i dont understand why you can't register to claim universal credit. if you sign up, then you would send proof to CMS, and should only be paying £7 a week in child maintenance.

Hello Bill,
I know exactly what you are saying. Most of the CMS people I have talked to have eventually been very helpful, although the mentality that every non-resident father is a potential absconder really pisses me off. The last bloke I spoke to however- Ryan- was very aggressive and told me that according to the government I was employed, even though I am self-employed with no change of work in my field of the last 35 years.
I am applying for Universal Credit, but as I say, they are not making any allowance for my current state. If I try to offer £7 per week to my ex, you would be able to see the thermonuclear blip from here to Seoul.
I shall try talking to the UC people tomorrow again.
Thanks, Bill,
M.

haha, no need to contact your ex about payments. as your going through CMS, leave it to them. hopefully you being on UC will be enough evidence for CMS.