Child Maintenance Service (CMS) Calculation Issues

[Fairy2015]

Hi

I really need some help before I go mad. CMS have created a schedule this year which is 13 payments; so June 2016 - June 2017. The annual figure he pays is divided over 13 payments instead of 12. But surely this means next year it will run July - July, they said it didn't it ran June 2017 - 2017. So what happens to the last payment, I have tried to get this around my head so many times but can't figure it out.

Does everyone using this service have 13 payments??

Reason I have queried this is because my payments have been reduced by £50 a month as they said the initial calculations are wrong and after a recalculation they are corrected which means I am short by a lot each month. I'm surprised no one has picked this up before with their system but they assure me it's correct.

Help!

[HereIAm20]

If there are 13 payments then the payments should be being paid every 4 weeks rather than per calendar month and this sorts the payment schedule.

[prh47bridge]

The payments to you are based on when your ex receives his earnings, pension or benefits. If they have scheduled 13 payments that means you are being paid every 4 weeks rather than once a month. They are therefore correct that next year will run June 2017 to June 2018 with a further 13 4-weekly payments.

If they have scheduled 13 payments but your payment arrives on the same date each month there is a problem. It should be a few days earlier each month.

[Fairy2015]

Hi there

Payments are at the 1st of the month. The said June at the end of this schedule is used for the payment of next years schedule.

I've spoken to 3 or 4 people about this and they can't seem to explain it to me and I am good with numbers!

I have mocked up a spreadsheet detailing 'Year 1' 'Year 2' etc so then it is layed out. I think I will need to then send to them and for them to explain in writing.

[prh47bridge]

If all payments are on the 1st of the month it doesn't make sense. It sounds like they've got their wires crossed somewhere.

[Fourormore]

My DH has 13 payments this year after a recalculation too. I'm afraid I can't help with an explanation though. We haven't questioned it and figured it will just get corrected at the end of the year if it's not right.

[NNChangeAgain]

Ah yes -"there's 13 months/53 weeks in the year" - confusion.

My DH had this; he's a financial manager and was totally befuzzled by their calculations. He eventually managed to talk to an advisor who understood it, and managed to create a spreadsheet that accommodates the fact that different claim years have different year lengths (yes, it sounds bonkers).

As fourmore says, it does get adjusted at the annual review - once DH got his head round it he was confident that the calculations are accurate to the penny, but it's very, very odd, and uses far too much headspace to try and understand.

[Fairy2015]

I am certainly befuzzled! I'm glad to hear they are accurate! It's comforting to know I'm not the only one questioning it!

I definitely need clarity in the form of a spreadsheet/formulas as this is the only way I can understand it!!