Parent voices

Last updated: 04/12/2023

Read and listen to the stories of single parents talking about their experiences of the Child Maintenance system and what they would like to see changed.

The CMS should be an effective way of preventing economic abuse being another factor to contend with but sadly it often enhances these issues instead.

Chloe*

Chloe has two young children with her ex partner. As a survivor or domestic abuse, she contacted the Child Maintenance Service to arrange financial support. Despite having evidence her ex partner was self employed and earning a high income, the CMS calculated maintenance payments based on him earning minimum wage. After attempting to resolve the issue with CMS staff, Chloe took the case to tribunal and the case was ruled in her favour.

*pseudonym 

  Read Chloe's story