Applying for child maintenance

[Anon778833]

My ex has stopped paying maintenance since we split up.

I am not sure if he has a job at the moment though (he quit the last one). But he’s still paying his mortgage somehow...

If I apply to the CMS, and he’s not on a payroll, will they check again in a few months? I’m aware that if/when he does get a job he probably won’t tell me.

So basically, is it a waste of time applying at the moment?

Always apply. Even if he's in benefits they will deduct a small amount and once he is working again they can pull his HMRC records over. This is generally straight forward if he's employed/PAYE but is more complex if he's self employed or has some dodgy pay arrangements.
Never delay as they only start the clock from when you apply

Yes. The system flags up once they are employed and paying PAYE

It then takes 3/5 months to actually see any money. It depends on how efficient his patrol are.

Ah thank you. Ok I may as well apply now then I suppose.

CMS should check the tax the paying parent has paid in a year. Track the parents social media, linktin etc and get as much evidence as you can. Search companies house to check if they are self employed also.