Collect and Pay - shit service

[selfcare]

I signed up for the Collect and Pay service a few months ago as ex wasn't paying anything towards upkeep of our child. Still no money received via this service. Just messages from CMS saying that since they haven't received any payment from other parent, they can't make any payment to me. Fair enough.
Thankfully I am currently in a position to feed and clothe our son, but if I wasn't he'd be starving and naked. A friend told me that I have to ring the CMS every week to pester them to take action e.g. get some sort of enforcement order.
Parents in need should not have to pester a government service to get money that a child is entitled to. Yes I know the parent (father in this case) is a twat for not paying the money in the first place but parents who need this money for their children's upkeep should not have to practically beg for it. If the service is called Collect and Pay, it should be collecting money, however difficult and time consuming that may be, without having to be prompted.

Its totally shit. The whole service. I need to phone them this week to ask for a reassessment. I'm not holding my breath that I'll get anywhere :(

Don't hold your breath @selfcare. I'm still chasing my ex 8 years and two liability orders later. I gave up phoning after year 3, it's a ridiculous system, with no teeth!

I'm on a bit of a mission with the CMS. I'm constantly on at them, not because I'm desperate for the money (which is lucky for my children as Ex doesn't give two hoots) but because it's a point of principle and I won't let him or the CMS have an easy ride of it. I've been in touch with my MP but he is hopeless. The whole system needs an overhaul and society needs to condemn these non paying parents loudly. The last time I spoke to the CMS the man I was speaking too tried to pull them 'it's not just men who don't pay' line on me. He regretted that!

Thanks for your responses everyone. I didn't realise just how poor this 'service' is an I needed a small rant. Perhaps (can't believe I'm writing this) a law is needed to ensure that parents are responsible for their offspring. I agree with you @CodenameLevonelle, the non-paying parents should be roundly condemned. The CMS man was right - I know there are women who also neglect their duty to support their children - and my intention was not to start a man-bashing thread, but CMS staff need better training if they think that responding to you like that is going to help! Good luck to you all in your pursuit of what your children are entitled to.

When the CSA shifted to the CMS, I didn’t bother to re-open the case. In all honesty, it made a huge difference to my stress levels and just generally how I feel about money (lack of) and my ex. Having a case open that I had to chase constantly for no return was upsetting and a constant reminder I was on my own. Somehow it’s easier without that hanging over me.

I cannot understand why the system does not simply do this:
CMS and HMRC merged
Collect and pay set up
If NRP doesn't pay, the gov does and then the NRP is indebted to the gov and it is collected via HMRC in the same way that unpaid tax is, ie with fines, prison etc
That way the child gets the funds and the debt is chased up properly because the gov has an incentive to get its money back

Yes it's a misogynistic shambles. I get £20 p.w for 2 children because the system is easily played by useless dads. £20 doesn't even cover school dinners and snacks, it's a joke and at the expense of single mothers and their children

The sense of hopelessness in the system is palpable. We can change this. I feel a campaign coming on...

I stopped calling them they are useless. My ex owes thousands in arrears. He refuses to pay and they do nothing. I've not heard from them in about a year now.

Sorry to hear your stories @HermioneGranger20 @yesterdaystotalsteps123 @Enoughnowstop @StormzyInaDCup @TheFormerPorpentinaScamander
This is child neglect on a massive scale happening right under our noses.

@selfcare I'm up for a campaign. Do you want to PM me and we could discuss a strategy of sorts

Adding article as research www.ibblaw.co.uk/insights/blog/child-maintenance-single-mothers-launch-legal-action-against-dwp

Another research article - see comments www.gingerbread.org.uk/what-we-do/news/government-u-turn-child-maintenance-avoidance-welcome-not-enough/

Yes they are shit. They keep telling me that I have to prove hi and income. How can I do that

What I never understand with this, if the resident parent just shrugged and said “oh well” they would be charged with neglect. But you can get away with it by being non resident, yet your still neglecting your children.

@Enoughnowstop

When the CSA shifted to the CMS, I didn’t bother to re-open the case. In all honesty, it made a huge difference to my stress levels and just generally how I feel about money (lack of) and my ex. Having a case open that I had to chase constantly for no return was upsetting and a constant reminder I was on my own. Somehow it’s easier without that hanging over me.

I agree with this. I had been pursuing a complaint, and when lockdown happened I knew it would all be on hold so I put it to one side. TBH, I just haven't got it in me to start it up again with them. It's appalling.