CMS Deductions from earnings order - AIBU

Glitterybee · 2024-05-23T07:14:11+00:00

Ex has never paid a penny to me directly for two children. I had to set sup a CMS arrangement and it took years to get to the point of regular payments (via a deductions of earnings order). It’s been regular for a year and then last month the payment didn’t arrive. I phoned CMS and they said that he requested that they cancel the deductions order and let him pay himself via direct debit. They agreed to this and off course he’s failed at the first hurdle. I am shocked CMS allowed this to be honest, obviously a deductions order is never set up for the fun of it - there has to have been issues in the past. AIBU or should CMS not have changed the agreement?

GabriellaMontez · 23/05/2024 08:16

CMS are a national disgrace. Save your energy. You're going to need it to get then to reinstate the deduction. Good luck.

GoogleWhacking · 23/05/2024 08:17

CMS are an absolute joke of an organisation. They passed my address and new name to my ex who I had fled from DV from, because apparently, despite not paying for 9 years he suddenly told them that he would pay directly!! I had to have police round to put in panic alarms etc. Funnily enough he didn't pay either.

FunLurker · 23/05/2024 08:19

They have to give him the chance to prove he'll pay but should of informed you. On order he gets 20%extra on top he has to pay which is why he can request to go back to direct debit. Hopefully its sorted quick this time as they have all the relevant info.

RedBananas12 · 23/05/2024 08:19

GoogleWhacking · 23/05/2024 08:17

CMS are an absolute joke of an organisation. They passed my address and new name to my ex who I had fled from DV from, because apparently, despite not paying for 9 years he suddenly told them that he would pay directly!! I had to have police round to put in panic alarms etc. Funnily enough he didn't pay either.

That is absolutely horrific. I am so sorry.

MamaSleep · 23/05/2024 08:20

This is shocking. How is this allowed?!

Theredoubtableskins · 23/05/2024 08:21

After a certain amount of time, they are allowed to have it removed if they say they will pay. Then, when the inevitably don’t, you have to fight CMS and call them almost daily to force them into reinstating it.

They’re absolutely shit and not at all fit for purpose.

FunLurker · 23/05/2024 08:22

CMS have been fine with me, and I get my money by order every month, I'm slowly getting my arrears also. He would like to do direct debit and if he read the letters he could as been 3 years but I'm not facilitating it for him.

Theunamedcat · 23/05/2024 08:23

They should have asked you first they did with my ex because they told him I would have to agree to it then if he fails again they were putting it in place like it or not

Theredoubtableskins · 23/05/2024 08:24

Also, who said he would pay by direct debit? He can’t pay by direct debit.

A direct debit is something a company, like your gym or phone provider, sets up with your details and they are the ones who take the money out of your account through a direct debit agreement. An individual cannot send direct debit payments on their own.

This is called a standing order. When you send money to someone, that’s a bank transfer. When you make that an automatic regular payment, it’s called a standing order.

He needs to go into his online banking, send the first payment and then set up a regular monthly standing order.

Did someone at CMS actually call it a direct debit? They’re just idiots. The people working their aren’t even financially literate.

Theredoubtableskins · 23/05/2024 08:25

FunLurker · 23/05/2024 08:22

CMS have been fine with me, and I get my money by order every month, I'm slowly getting my arrears also. He would like to do direct debit and if he read the letters he could as been 3 years but I'm not facilitating it for him.

He can’t pay by direct debit. Unless you are a company and would set that up for him?

It’s called a standing order. See above.

Financial literacy and using the correct terminology is actually important.

PippyLongTits · 23/05/2024 08:35

What a ridiculous system. I think they should make it a legal requirement for non resident parents to inform their employer of any children they may have and it should automatically be deducted and sent to the resident parent. There should be huge fines or custodial sentences to deter noncompliance. Why do women have to jump through so many hoops for this? Why don't these men want to provide sufficiently for their children?

Original poster

Glitterybee · 23/05/2024 18:34

Theunamedcat · 23/05/2024 08:23

They should have asked you first they did with my ex because they told him I would have to agree to it then if he fails again they were putting it in place like it or not

They didn’t ask me and there seems to be conflicting info online on whether they should have or not.

OP posts:

Original poster

Glitterybee · 23/05/2024 18:36

Theredoubtableskins · 23/05/2024 08:24

Also, who said he would pay by direct debit? He can’t pay by direct debit.

A direct debit is something a company, like your gym or phone provider, sets up with your details and they are the ones who take the money out of your account through a direct debit agreement. An individual cannot send direct debit payments on their own.

This is called a standing order. When you send money to someone, that’s a bank transfer. When you make that an automatic regular payment, it’s called a standing order.

He needs to go into his online banking, send the first payment and then set up a regular monthly standing order.

Did someone at CMS actually call it a direct debit? They’re just idiots. The people working their aren’t even financially literate.

Yes the person from CMS told me it was ‘direct debit’ 🤦‍♀️

OP posts:

Miracleasap · 23/05/2024 18:38

Contact your local MP and form a complaint. The amount of men that don't want to pay for their own kids and leave the mums to pick up the slack is disgusting. I feel like I read a post on here every week! We need a whole topic on it!.

Flumpymews · 28/06/2024 13:03

Hi there, could I ask, do they put the dad on collect and pay if the mum requests it on application? Or can he refuse and they’ll agree to direct pay?

Aligirlbear · 28/06/2024 13:09

Miracleasap · 23/05/2024 18:38

Contact your local MP and form a complaint. The amount of men that don't want to pay for their own kids and leave the mums to pick up the slack is disgusting. I feel like I read a post on here every week! We need a whole topic on it!.

Bit tricky at the moment - there are no MPs following the dissolution of parliament for the election.

Ottervision · 28/06/2024 13:19

Glitterybee · 23/05/2024 18:36

Yes the person from CMS told me it was ‘direct debit’ 🤦‍♀️

Show quote history

They will have meant direct deposit (ie he pays you directly by standing order) I think. Anyway they should know what they're talking about. I have never had a single good experience with them, they frequently lie. Say they've contacted us when they haven't. Recently gave us completely the wrong answer so I made a complaint. They try and stop you making complaints. They will say someone will deal with it. Basically that's a letter telling you to fuck off and they don't do anything. Ring them back and tell them you don't accept the outcome and you want the actual complaints team to review it.