CMS Help Fair CMS. Clear Numbers. Real Support.
Sign up / Log in

For paying parents

Fair CMS. Clear Numbers. Real Support.

CMS Help helps you check disputed figures, keep an evidence trail, and prepare formal paperwork when Child Maintenance Service decisions or arrears look wrong.

Sign up / Log in Explore tools How it works

What CMS Help is

Information support for paying parents — not a law firm and not legal advice.

We exist for parents who pay child maintenance and need to challenge miscalculation, unexplained arrears, or enforcement that does not match a correct figure. Children are entitled to support; the amount should be accurate and explained in writing.

We focus on accurate CMS figures for paying parents — not on unpaid-maintenance campaigns. Legacy CSA debt is treated separately from current CMS calculations. Always compare tool outputs with your official CMS letters before you escalate.

Common problems we cover

Useful facts about the CMS pathway

Process facts aligned to GOV.UK and Citizens Advice guidance. Check your letters for exact deadlines.

If you disagree with a decision

  1. Ask for a written calculation and arrears breakdown.
  2. Request mandatory reconsideration — usually within 30 days of the decision letter.
  3. Keep the mandatory reconsideration notice.
  4. If still unhappy, appeal to the tribunal (form SSCS2) — usually within one month of the MR notice.

If you are unhappy with the service

  1. Raise a CMS/DWP service complaint (delays, missing explanations, poor handling).
  2. Ask for a complaint review if the first reply is inadequate.
  3. After a final complaint response that refers you to ICE, escalate to the Independent Case Examiner — usually within 6 months (check your letter).

Both routes can run together

A disagreement with a figure is not the same as a service complaint. Where both apply, you can challenge the decision and complain about handling at the same time.

Late applications can sometimes be accepted — explain the delay in writing and keep proof of posting or online submission.

Tools we offer

Free browser tools below. My Case adds a private account vault for evidence and export.

Indicative calculator

Estimate weekly and yearly liability from income, children, and shared care before you escalate.

Case timeline

Quick dated log of payments, letters, and enforcement — stored in your browser only, no account needed.

Letter builder

Professional Word and PDF drafts across breakdown, MR, tribunal, complaint, review, and ICE.

Arrears audit

Compare expected liability with CMS claims and download a branded Excel variance report.

My Case (account)

Sign up to save case details, upload evidence securely, and export a full evidence pack.

Find your MP

Look up your local MP by postcode when you need to escalate a CMS complaint via Parliament.

Guides

Step-by-step playbooks for figure jumps, arrears, MR/tribunal, complaints, and shared care.

Dispute route

Explanation → mandatory reconsideration → tribunal, with deadlines and evidence.

Enforcement guide

DEO and deductions while a dispute is open — keep paying undisputed amounts.

Findings

Sourced notes on how CMS systems and fee rules affect paying parents.

FOI Register

Our transparency requests on calculation, arrears, and enforcement data.

Not legal advice. For tribunal or court action, seek regulated advice (for example Citizens Advice or a solicitor).

Indicative calculator

Estimation only. Verify against your CMS decision letter.

Enter figures and press Calculate.

Shows nil / flat / reduced / basic / basic-plus bands. See Methodology for assumptions and sources.

Case timeline

Stored only in your browser. Export before clearing. Want uploads and cloud backup? Open My Case.

Date Type Amount Notes Evidence

Letter Builder

Follows the CMS pathway: written explanation → mandatory reconsideration → tribunal → service complaint → complaint review → Independent Case Examiner. Export as Word or PDF. Signed-in users can save drafts straight into My Case.

1. Breakdown 2. MR 3. Tribunal 4. Complaint 5. Review 6. ICE
Additional grounds (optional — tick all that apply)

Select a letter type, complete the form, then generate a professional draft.

Arrears Audit

Compare expected liability with payments and CMS claims. Export branded Excel.

Optional payment ledger — add line items; they can fill Total paid.

Date Amount (£) Reference

Run an audit to see results and enable Excel export.

Resources

CMS pathways, key deadlines, and official references — aligned to GOV.UK and Citizens Advice. Official links last verified August 2026.

Two routes. Disagree with a decision (amount, shared care, arrears figure)? Use explanation → mandatory reconsideration → tribunal. Unhappy with service (delays, missing explanations, poor handling)? Use complaint → complaint review → Independent Case Examiner. You can run both routes in parallel where both apply.

Decision challenge route

  1. Request a written calculation and arrears ledger.
  2. Ask for mandatory reconsideration within 30 days of the decision letter date.
  3. Keep the mandatory reconsideration notice.
  4. If still unhappy, appeal to the Social Security and Child Support Tribunal (form SSCS2), usually within one month of the MR notice.

Service complaint route

  1. Use the DWP/CMS complaints procedure for delays, missing explanations, or poor handling.
  2. Ask for a complaint review if the first reply is inadequate.
  3. After a final complaint response that refers you to ICE, escalate to the Independent Case Examiner — usually within 6 months (check your letter).
  4. The Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO) is via your MP if needed after ICE.

Key deadlines

  • MR: usually 30 days from the decision letter.
  • Tribunal: usually 1 month from the MR notice.
  • ICE: usually 6 months from the final complaint response.
  • Late applications can sometimes be accepted — explain the delay in writing.