CMS and Financial Abuse

[Fuzzywig]

I had my annual review in December and I don't know what went wrong. My ex is self employed and I am not sure if his tax returns didn't go in on time or what.

CMS previously decided on £549.00 per month since the review it is zero.

I have asked them to look at the figures again as it is obviously wrong. He works, drives a top of the range Mercedes, has lots of cash to spend on the kids etc etc etc BUT CMS say I have to prove his earnings? How?

He has always been financially abusive but this is on a whole new level.

CMS flat out refuse to look at his earnings without me providing proof I have asked twice and been rejected twice. Even if he was on benefits he would have to pay something!

Does anyone have any idea how I can prove his income?

AIBU in expecting CMS to review this without me providing proof of his income? They have access to tax records not me!

Does anyone have any advice?

Contact your local MP, and join Facebook groups about CMS (loads of helpful people on there).

Many of them find they have huge success with CMS finally taking notice and investigating/deducting payments after contacting their MP - it's the first suggestion in cases like yours, so I'd start there.

@OakTreex Thank you. Crazy situation when you have to get an MP to step in when a government office makes an unreasonable request.

Thank you for your advice though.

Is there any way he might be supported by somebody else? Wealthy parents or a new partner/spouse? If he's not earning and not claiming benefits the assessment would be zero. Does he have a limited company? Might he have decided not to draw a salary?

Ask them to carry out a variation on his earnings. You have to physically ask for it by name or they won't do it.

It looks at if he's taking dividends or paying massive pension contributions.

I appealed mine at the CMS. Went to court and then he went on benefits.

It may help you to ask for this and you may get a better result than I have if you pursue it and ask for a variation then an appeal based on if you are not happy with the result from the variation.

Good luck 🤞

Doesn't CMS go off previous years earnings? Did he have a drop in income due to covid?

CMS said he pays zero. He worked from home during covid.

He is self employed and says he can't afford to take holidays as he won't be paid.

He has told me that he is living off winnings from bets placed on a racing horse he and family bought their father/grandfather shares in.

He has money. In the last couple of weeks he has given my two kids £200 each.

Even when he was unemployed he paid something.

CMS refuse to review. I will ask for a variation as I believe he is taking dividends and probably a huge pension.

Why on earth are we made to ask for this? If the CMS know this could be happening they should look into this.

Thank you everyone for advice given.