How COVID-19 impacts child maintenance

The current pandemic has raised many questions for parents about how changes in their financial circumstances will affect their child maintenance payments.

Whether paying or receiving maintenance, both parents can apply for a variation, but the outcome depends on specific circumstances.

Child maintenance and the role of the CMS

Parents do not have to rely on the Child Maintenance Service (CMS) to calculate child maintenance, but the CMS offers a calculator for parents to estimate payments.

Ideally, parents are encouraged to agree on child maintenance payments without CMS involvement. However, when disputes arise or enforcement is needed, the CMS can intervene—though additional fees apply.

Calculating child maintenance during the pandemic

Child maintenance is calculated based on several factors, including the paying parent’s gross income.

If there is no income, no child maintenance is payable. For parents who have experienced a loss of income due to furlough or other COVID-19-related changes, this could affect their ability to meet maintenance obligations.

The CMS advises parents to notify them of any changes in circumstances that could affect payments. These changes include redundancy, a temporary lack of income due to self-isolation, or receiving statutory sick pay. Notifications can be made online via the CMS self-service account, although some specific changes, such as redundancy, must be reported by telephone.

Temporary changes to shared care arrangements

If COVID-19 has temporarily altered the shared care arrangements between parents, the CMS will not adjust child maintenance payments, as these changes are viewed as temporary. However, if the new arrangements become long-term, parents are required to notify the CMS.

The CMS has not provided clear guidance on when a short-term arrangement becomes long-term, so parents must monitor these changes carefully.

Continuing child maintenance payments

Unless there is a significant change in circumstances, child maintenance payments should continue as normal. Due to staffing shortages at the CMS, responses may be delayed, and missed payments may not be pursued as quickly as usual.

Parents who feel unsafe contacting the other parent directly can report missed payments through the CMS’s online system.

Despite the current challenges, parents are still able to make new applications for child maintenance, with the process continuing even during the pandemic.

Get in touch

If you are facing changes in your financial situation or have concerns about child maintenance during the pandemic, contact our team for expert legal advice. We can guide you through the process and help ensure the right steps are taken.