Are you eligable to claim CMS

🔷 CHILD MAINTENANCE SERVICE

ARE YOU ELIGIBLE?

(UK CMS eligibility explained)

👶 CHILD’S AGE

✔ Under 16
✔ Under 20 if in approved education/training

🏠 YOU MUST

✔ Live in the UK as your main home
✔ Have the right to live in the UK

👨‍👩‍👧 WHO CAN APPLY

✔ Any parent with the majority of care for the child
✔ Grandparent with main day-to-day care
✔ Guardian
✔ Child over 12 living in Scotland

🚫 WHEN YOU DON’T HAVE TO PAY

If you have NO income and are:
✔ A full-time student
✔ In prison

➡ No need to apply

⚖ COURT ORDER

❌ You cannot apply if there is a
court-approved consent order less than 12 months old

🌍 PARENT WORKS OVERSEAS

Cannot apply if:
• Child & main carer live outside the UK

Usually cannot apply if:
• Paying parent works abroad

Possible exceptions if they work for:
• Civil Service
• His Majesty’s Diplomatic Service
• Armed Forces
• NHS
• UK Local Authority
• UK-registered company

💷 CMS EARNINGS LIMIT

£3,000 PER WEEK

CMS can only deal with earnings up to £3,000 per week.
Income above this may require a court “top-up” order.