Resource · Updated 07/07/2026 · Phone numbers change — verify before relying on them.
Useful contacts
Grouped by what you actually need. Free services listed first in each group.
Official bodies
| Who | What they do | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Child Maintenance Service | Your case: decisions, payments, reporting changes. Always note the date, time and name for every call. | Number on your letters / online account via GOV.UK |
| Get Help Arranging Child Maintenance | The mandatory gateway before a new application; information on family-based arrangements | gov.uk/get-help-arranging-child-maintenance |
| HM Courts & Tribunals Service (SSCS) | Tribunal appeals after mandatory reconsideration | gov.uk/appeal-benefit-decision — form SSCS2 |
| Independent Case Examiner | Second-tier complaint review after the CMS final response (within 6 months) | ICE on GOV.UK |
| Parliamentary & Health Service Ombudsman | Final complaint stage, via your MP (within 12 months) | ombudsman.org.uk |
| Your MP | Case escalation at any stage; required for PHSO referral | Find your MP |
| Information Commissioner's Office | Ignored subject access requests; data protection complaints | ico.org.uk · 0303 123 1113 |
Advice and support organisations
| Who | Best for | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Citizens Advice | Free general advice on maintenance, debt and benefits; local offices | citizensadvice.org.uk |
| Gingerbread | Single-parent families; strong CMS knowledge, mainly receiving-parent perspective | gingerbread.org.uk · helpline 0808 802 0925 |
| Families Need Fathers (Both Parents Matter) | Separated parents maintaining involvement; contact and shared care issues | fnf.org.uk · 0300 0300 363 |
| NACSA | Specialist child support case advice — calculations, variations, tribunals, arrears (membership/fee-based) | nacsa.co.uk |
| One Parent Families Scotland | Scottish single parents | opfs.org.uk · 0808 801 0323 |
Debt and financial crisis
| Who | Best for | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| StepChange | Free debt advice and repayment plans (remember: maintenance arrears survive insolvency) | stepchange.org · 0800 138 1111 |
| National Debtline | Free debt advice, strong fact sheets on enforcement | nationaldebtline.org · 0808 808 4000 |
| Samaritans | If any of this is overwhelming you — talk to someone, any hour | 116 123 (free) |
Legal help
Legal aid is generally unavailable for child maintenance disputes. Options: fixed-fee initial consultations with family solicitors; direct access barristers for discrete stages (tribunal advocacy, Upper Tribunal grounds); law clinics at universities; and Advocate (pro bono barristers) for those who qualify. For committal or disqualification hearings, seek advice immediately — legal aid can be available where liberty is at stake.