CHILD MAINTENANCE FOR ANYONE WITH 2 + CHILDREN

The new Child Maintenance Service (CMS) has reviewed its policy and opened it up to now be applicable to any applicants with two or more children.

From this month, parents with two or more children who decide to separate and then use the Child Maintenance Service (CMS) are expected to find they are put on a new system, where parents will be encouraged to sort out their maintenance payments between them, rather than relying on the Government to do it on their behalf.

Work and Pensions Minister Steve Webb said: "The Child Maintenance Service is progressing well and has reached the next stage of its delivery. Caseworkers report that the system is easier to use and, for the first time, HM Revenue & Customs wage data is being used to calculate payments.

"We are learning from the past and avoiding the big-bang approach of the CSA. In the last eight months parents with four or more children have been using the system. We are now rolling it out gradually, first to new applicants with 2 or more children and then to all new applicants."

The government is investing up to £20m into support services for separated families, after over half of those surveyed in the CSA said they could come to their own arrangements with the right help and support.

For those couples separating, child maintenance may be a consideration for you, if you are confused about how it relates to you, feel free to contact our team to discuss how we can help facilitate this on 01246 555 610.