Child Maintenance Service application

Letter to the Child Maintenance Service applying for a statutory child maintenance calculation, with details of children, the paying parent, and the current arrangement.

Draft template. This letter is being reviewed by a regulated solicitor before publication. You can use it now as a starting point, but read the surrounding guide carefully and consider getting free legal advice before sending.

The CMS uses a statutory formula based on the paying parent's gross income, number of children, and overnight contact. Apply online at gov.uk/child-maintenance-service or by phone. £20 application fee (waived if DV victim or under 19). Direct Pay is free; Collect and Pay costs 20% (paying parent) + 4% (receiving parent). Disputes go via CMS internal appeals then First-tier Tribunal.

AI cross-check (2026-06-15) — pending regulated solicitor sign-off

This letter cites the following authority, which the AI has checked against current GOV.UK / legislation.gov.uk:

  • Child Support Act 1991 (as amended): confirmed currently in force; the CMS statutory calculation scheme derives from this Act. The current "gross income" basis (rather than net income) was introduced by the Child Maintenance and Other Payments Act 2008 and the Child Support (Calculation) Regulations 2012 (SI 2012/2677).
  • £20 application fee: confirmed as the current fee for CMS applications; waived for victims of domestic abuse and for applicants under 19. Reviewer should verify current fee level as DWP occasionally updates this.
  • Direct Pay (free) and Collect and Pay (20% paying / 4% receiving): confirmed as the current fee structure under the Child Support Fees Regulations 2014 (SI 2014/612). No material change as of 2026-06-15.
  • CMS postal address (Wolverhampton WV98 2BU): this is the DWP Mail Handling Site address — note that most applications are now made online or by phone (0800 171 2345); a postal letter is an unusual route and the CMS may direct the applicant to use other channels.

Reviewer focus areas: (1) Verify that the CMS accepts postal applications or whether the letter needs to direct users to the online/phone application route instead. (2) Confirm the current £20 fee and domestic abuse waiver criteria. (3) Confirm the current Collect and Pay fee percentages have not changed. (4) Note that the letter addresses the CMS as part of DWP — confirm the correct current organisational structure and address.

This AI cross-check is an aid only; final sign-off requires a regulated solicitor.

Your details

One per line. Include only children of you and the paying parent.

In same order as names.

How many overnights per year do the children spend with the paying parent? Day contact?

For example: "Family-based arrangement £200/month from January 2024, stopped paying May 2024."

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Disclaimer

This information is for general guidance only and does not constitute legal advice. You should seek qualified legal help if your situation requires it.