Parents have shared their experiences of significant financial losses from their bank accounts due to child maintenance errors. John Hammond, a 56-year-old math teacher from Peterborough, had nearly £20,000 deducted by the Child Maintenance Service (CMS) despite his child support arrangement concluding over ten years ago. Upon discovering the substantial deduction, Mr. Hammond expressed feeling shaken and initially thought it was a scam.
In 2002, Mr. Hammond received a letter from the Child Support Agency stating he owed £947, which was later waived at his ex-wife’s request. However, in 2019, he received a letter from the CMS demanding almost £19,000. After challenging the arrears, Mr. Hammond successfully appealed in court to have the full amount refunded. Although awarded £8,000 in legal costs, his expenses amounted to £14,055, leaving him at a net loss of over £6,000.
Child maintenance serves to assist in covering a child’s daily expenses when parents are separated or living apart. Numerous parents, including Richard George, aged 63, have faced inaccuracies in child maintenance calculations, unauthorized deductions, and legal battles with the CMS. Mr. George had £18,800 withdrawn from his bank account in late 2019, despite previously winning an appeal to nullify over £16,000 in arrears in 2016.
The CMS received approximately 92,700 reconsideration requests in 2025, with 21,400 cases being identified as incorrect or requiring updated information. Operated by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), the CMS sets payment schedules based on the paying parent’s income, with accuracy rates consistently near 100%. Disputes can be appealed, with decisions subject to independent tribunal review.
A DWP spokesperson emphasized that the CMS prioritizes amicable resolutions, seeking voluntary payments and resuming regular installments to prevent further arrears before considering enforcement measures.