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I am suffering from depression since July of this year left my last job and have not been able to work,no income whatsoever,I lived off my savings,I live with my father and haven’t even signed on or went to my GP I rarely leave the house,I have worked for the last 5 years and regularly paid cms through direct debit.CMS are now sending letters demanding increased amounts which I am unable to pay.I realise I should have informed them when i stopped work but with depression I let things go.How to I advise cms of my situation.
I'm sorry to hear of your situation. Please seek help from your GP with your depression. They may medicate or offer counselling. Perhaps your father can go with you for support. You can call the CMS and they may require a doctor's certificate. Do take care of yourself. The NHS offers counselling which you can call from home such as Talking Therapies. Google for support in your area. You could also call the Samaritans on 116 123. Please do take up the support that is out there to help you through this
Thankyou champagne for your advice,I must confess that I am Michaellukes father(Bill) and I joined this forum and posted on his behalf because he will not motivate himself..He has told me about the arrears with Child maintenance system but says he is unable to contact them to advise them he is unable at present to pay arrears due to his depression and no income.My son says he has to communicate with cms through a portal which does not allow an option to advise them of this.I do not know how somebody with my sons condition can inform this government agency,surely mental illness should be taken seriously by cms and there has to be a way to communicate with them on this matter.I have encouraged my son to go to his GP,unfortunately any discussion with can easily end up in a heated argument.
The situation must be very difficult for you. Does your son see his child? I imagine something must have happened to cause his depression? I'm not a counsellor and have limited knowledge of mental illness. Can you call the CMS on his behalf? If they won't speak to you, can you write in? You could contact Citizens Advice perhaps.