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hello I have recently started receiving child maintenance privately not done through the professionals ---- here is my question although I have had my daughter live with me from 5/6 months she is currently 3 if I go through the child maintenance professionals would I be able to claim for the past from when my daughter started living with me until we started the arrangement privately ?
or would I have to go to court....
Child maintenance arranged through the CMS is only active from the point that a case is opened by the resident parent, so no backdating I'm afraid. I don't think you could get it backdated via court either fortunately.
You may be entitled to other benefits, such as working family tax credits, help with rent and council tax and child care vouchers from your employer if you are working.
If you are worried that the mother will take your daughter back, you can apply to court for an order that states she lives with you....but if everything is sorted then court should be a last resort.
All th best
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