Child Maintenance

3 replies

Clarkraven · 05/02/2021 19:50

Posting for traffic sorry, is there any guidance on child maintenance when off sick?
I pay my ex an amount agreed by CMO but have just gone off sick (hopefully back to work in a month). I will only be receiving SSP & still have bills to pay etc. I am going to speak to my ex and obviously want to still carry on paying, but do not have the funds to pay the full amount.
I’ve searched online but can’t find any guidance on what to do. Do I call CMO up and they work it out? Thanks

OP posts:

Ohalrightthen · 05/02/2021 19:51

yes, call CMS. Do you pay via them, or direct to your ex?

Rainbowqueeen · 05/02/2021 20:27

I don’t know for sure but logically I would say the amount should be reduced while your income is reduced. Call cms but also try and give your ex as much notice as possible.

Hwory · 06/02/2021 14:55

Income reduction
In response to a drop in income, CMS will advise the paying parent to pay what they can to ensure as much money as possible is flowing to receiving parents and children. CMS will retrospectively amend the calculation to reduce it for the period of low income. This will give rise to the normal appeal rights for both parents.

Reporting changes
If your circumstances have changed for one of the following reasons, call the Child Maintenance Service straightaway:

if you have lost your job
if you are temporarily receiving no income while you are self-isolating during the outbreak of coronavirus (COVID-19)
if you are temporarily receiving statutory sick pay during the outbreak of coronavirus (COVID-19)
if child maintenance should no longer be paid because of a change in circumstances
if you are adopting a child, or
if you are reporting a bereavement

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