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Evening all,
I've got a long standing complaint ongoing over arrears with CMS and it's at the point I dread speaking to them. I have two cases, and prior to this year there was only ever "arrears" on one case. I noticed this year that they've put the exact same figure as arrears on both cases and nobody can seem to explain to me why, and nobody can see to grasp that the additional £150 a month this is now costing me is making life very difficult.
They were supposed to ring me this morning to discuss this complaint again, they've just rang now at 6pm. They rang three times, it rang once and then cut off after which I get the usual text of how they couldn't reach me despite not even letting me have chance to breathe never mind answer the phone.
I contacted my MP again today regarding CMS and how it is a driving force behind so much ill feeling and how many fathers are in a similar boat, and gave a breakdown of costs which is below;
Currently, I am required to pay a combined child maintenance amount of £451 per month. With a monthly after-tax income of £1,973 and essential personal bills totaling £420, I am left with a mere £82 each month after accounting for the following:
- Rent: £600 (minimum, for accommodation within 20 miles of my children)
- Council Tax: £120
- Gas and Electric: £60
- Food Shopping: £150-200
- Fuel: £100
I highly doubt anything will come of it, but honestly I'm so fed up and just needed a place to rant.
Hi,
If arrears are genuine, you could ask can the arrears repayments be spread out, default is over 2 year period, sometimes they allow more.
@bill337 I don't believe they are, and have been asking for almost five years now for a breakdown which they don't seem to be able to provide.
@pshampton88 hi. I'm in a pickle too. I had a private agreement all my child's life until I stopped payment when my son left school and went into full time employment. Not realising I had to pay until the following August after child's birthday. So as a result ran up £880 of arrears. Hey ho says the CMS. "You owe us £1100." "Now you'll have to pay standard rate and arrears with 24% charges for another ten months. Even though obligation to pay has expired. It's now £3500. Explained the situation to ex and she tried to stop it but was told it was too late. So now it'll be £4200 after legal fees. We invited them in to rob us. Everybody has ended up having less than they should. Except the CMS.
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