For parents handling it themselves
Clear answers on child maintenance, from the first letter to the tribunal
Independent, plain-English guidance on the Child Maintenance Service, DWP and the First-tier Tribunal, with free tools and templates for every step.
Built on the official sources
- legislation.gov.uk
- GOV.UK
- HM Courts and Tribunals Service
- DWP statistics
- Upper Tribunal decisions
Guides
Helping you through every stage of a child maintenance case
Seventeen guides in eight topics, each one reviewed and sourced.
Understanding the CMS
Who pays, Direct Pay and Collect and Pay, and what happens after an application.
- Child maintenance explained
- Changes and the annual review
The calculation
Income, rates, other children and variations, with worked examples.
- How the calculation works
- Variations
Shared and equal care
How nights are counted, what evidence is accepted, and when no one pays.
- Shared care and overnight care
- Equal care and day to day care
Challenging a decision
Mandatory reconsideration: the compulsory first step, done properly.
- Mandatory reconsideration
- Deadline calculator
Tribunal appeals
Form SSCS2, the DWP response, your evidence and the hearing.
- Appealing to the tribunal
- The hearing
Arrears and enforcement
Why arrears build up, what the CMS can do, and the fees involved.
- Arrears and enforcement
- Payment plan letter
Complaints and records
Complaints, the Independent Case Examiner and your call recordings.
- Complaints and compensation
- Subject access requests
Family court
Child arrangements orders, MIAMs, Cafcass, and how orders affect the CMS.
- Child arrangements and the family court
- Looking after yourself
Challenging a decision
Six stages, and how long you have at each
Almost every step has a time limit. Miss one and you may have to explain why, or lose the chance to challenge at all.
1
Decision letter
Read the date on it
The clock usually starts from the date printed on the letter.
2
Mandatory reconsideration
1 month
Ask the CMS to look again. Required before any appeal.
3
Appeal on form SSCS2
1 month
HMCTS must receive it within a month of the reconsideration notice.
4
DWP response
42 days
DWP sends its bundle. You can usually reply within a month.
5
Hearing
14 days’ notice
An independent judge decides, in person, by video or by phone.
6
Decision and reasons
1 month
Ask for written reasons if you may appeal on a point of law.
Free tools
Work it out for yourself
The tools run in your browser. Nothing you type is sent to us or stored on our server.
Maintenance estimator
Follow the CMS formula step by step, including other children, shared care and fees.
Deadline calculator
Pick the letter you have and its date. Get every deadline, ready for your calendar.
Care nights counter
Set your usual pattern, mark holidays and see your shared care band.
Letter builder
21 letters for the CMS, DWP and the tribunal. Fill in a form, copy or download.
Common questions
Quick answers to the questions parents ask most
Do I have to use the Child Maintenance Service?
No. Parents can agree an amount between themselves. Either parent can go to the CMS later if a private arrangement stops working.
Can the tribunal decide who should pay?
Yes. The First-tier Tribunal looks at the decision afresh and can decide liability, the amount and which parent is the paying parent.
We share care equally. Does anyone pay?
Possibly not. When nights are equal, the CMS must decide who provides more day to day care. If neither parent does, there may be no paying parent. Read equal care.
How long do I have to challenge a CMS decision?
Usually one month from the date printed on the decision letter. Ask for a mandatory reconsideration first: you cannot appeal without one.
Does it cost anything to appeal?
No. There is no fee to appeal to the tribunal, and the tribunal does not normally order either side to pay the other’s costs.
Will the other parent see what I send?
In an appeal, yes: evidence goes to every party. Tell the tribunal if your address or other details need protecting.
Rule changes
What is changing, and what is already in force
Checked 23 October 2026. Announced changes do not apply until they come into force.
Direct Pay removed; every case moves to one collection service
Announced June 2025
Announced
Collection fee cut to 2% for both parents (now 20% and 4%)
Announced June 2025
Announced
Income change threshold falls from 25% to 15%
Announced June 2026
Awaiting date
CMS to make liability orders without going to court
Committed January 2026
No timetable
Family court fee for a child arrangements application rises to £270
1 July 2026
In force
£20 CMS application fee abolished
26 February 2024
In force
News and insight
Latest from CMS Hub
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Family court and the CMS: when a child arrangements order changes the picture
The CMS and the family court are separate systems, but a court order about care can be the strongest evidence you have. How the…
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Representing yourself: staying calm and organised
Being your own advocate while parenting and working is hard. Practical habits that keep the case under control without it taking over.
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Complaint or appeal? Choosing the right route
Many parents put appeal points in complaints and complaint points in appeals. Getting the route right saves months.
Need someone to look at your case?
We cannot advise on individual cases. Citizens Advice, Support Through Court and Advocate can, and their help is free.
