A missed payment can leave an immediate gap in your child’s budget. The next step depends on whether you have a private arrangement or a case with the Child Maintenance Service. Start with the payment record and the type of arrangement you have.
England · Checked 17 September 2026
Compare the due date and amount in your agreement or payment plan with your bank record. Write down each shortfall separately. Arrears means money that was due but has not been paid.
Keep copies of the plan, statements and any relevant payment messages. A clear record helps distinguish a delayed transfer from a growing debt.
Direct Pay is still a CMS case: the service calculates the amount, even though the money normally moves directly between parents. You do not have to manage repeated chasing alone.
CMS collects the money and passes it on. Contact the service about a missing payment so it can check what has happened and consider recovery action. Collection does not guarantee that money will arrive immediately.
Collection fees currently add 20% to the paying parent’s regular payment and deduct 4% from the receiving parent’s payment. For £100 of maintenance, that means £120 is collected from the payer and £96 goes to the recipient. Paying directly does not avoid these fees while the case is on Collect and Pay.
If it is safe, a short written message can identify the missing amount and ask when it will be paid. If the arrangement keeps failing, CMS can be a route to a formal calculation and collection.
Do not assume opening a CMS case automatically turns all earlier private shortfalls into a CMS debt. Explain the history, and mention any court order: the route for dealing with existing obligations depends on what was put in place.
Report changed circumstances promptly and ask CMS to review them. A job loss or a new care pattern does not mean you can simply stop following the payment plan. A review of future payments and recovery of existing arrears are different questions.
Maintenance recovery may take time. If rent, food or essential bills are at risk, check benefits and local council help while the payment issue is being addressed. Keep discussions about money separate from decisions about safe contact with your child.
This guide explains general rules and services. It does not assess your individual case.
Information checked on 17 September 2026.
Based on the original article by Elisabeth Scholander.
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