What to do if…
your child support or maintenance payment is missed and enforcement is threatened

What to do now

1. Identify which arrangement applies.

   • CMS Direct Pay: CMS works out the amount, but the paying parent pays the receiving parent directly.
   • CMS Collect and Pay: CMS collects the payment from the paying parent and passes it to the receiving parent.
   • Private arrangement: the parents have agreed child maintenance between themselves. A private arrangement usually relies on both parents keeping to it unless it has been made legally binding.
   • Court order or consent order: follow what the order says and get advice if the threat is about court enforcement.
   • Northern Ireland case: use the route shown on your Northern Ireland paperwork or account, because contact routes and administration can differ.

2. Gather the exact facts before replying.

   • Find the case number, reference number, order, or written agreement.
   • Check the due date, the amount due, the amount actually paid, and the payment method.
   • Save the most recent payment schedule or order in one place.

3. Check whether the payment is genuinely missing.

   • If you are the paying parent, check for a failed standing order, wrong reference, wrong payee, insufficient funds, bank delay, or returned payment.
   • If you are the receiving parent, check whether the money arrived late, went to a different account, was paid with the wrong reference, or was returned.
   • Take screenshots or download bank evidence showing what happened.

4. Verify the correct payment route before sending money.

   • For CMS Collect and Pay, use the CMS payment route. Paying the other parent directly may not automatically fix the CMS record.
   • For CMS Direct Pay, pay the receiving parent in the agreed way and keep clear proof.
   • For a court order or private arrangement, follow the order or written agreement unless both sides clearly agree otherwise in writing.

5. If you are the paying parent and you missed or will miss a CMS payment, contact CMS today.

   • Say that a payment has been missed or may be late.
   • Ask what options are available and propose a realistic catch-up plan.
   • If your income or circumstances have changed, report the change through your CMS account or by contacting CMS.
   • Keep a copy of anything you send and note the date, time, and name of anyone you speak to.

6. If you are the receiving parent and a CMS payment is missed, use the CMS route.

   • If you are on Collect and Pay, CMS says it can take action when payments are not made in full and on time. Make sure your contact and bank details are correct.
   • If you are on Direct Pay, CMS says it cannot take enforcement action while the case remains on Direct Pay. Report the missed or short payment through your CMS account and ask about moving to Collect and Pay if you want CMS to collect payments. Fees apply to Collect and Pay.
   • Keep your bank statement or payment record ready, because CMS may need evidence of the missed payment.

7. If the enforcement threat comes from the other parent or someone acting for them, slow it down in writing.

   • Ask what arrangement, CMS case, or court order they are relying on.
   • Ask for the date, amount, and reference they say is missed.
   • Reply only with facts you can prove: what was paid, what failed, what you are checking, and what you can realistically pay now.
   • Avoid admitting a disputed arrears amount until you have checked the records.

8. Make a small proof pack.

   • Save the assessment, order, payment schedule, and any formal letters or messages.
   • Save the last two or three payment confirmations.
   • Write a simple timeline: due date, what happened, what you checked, who you contacted, and what you did today.

9. Protect essentials if the missed payment is caused by a money shock.

   • List rent or mortgage, utilities, council tax, court fines, and other priority debts before agreeing any catch-up amount.
   • Contact a free debt advice service if the missed maintenance payment is part of a wider money emergency.
   • Tell CMS, where relevant, that you are seeking debt advice and are trying to make a realistic payment plan.