Thank you for visiting the CMSAS Limited website. Please note, we are NOT the gov.uk Child Maintenance Service (CMS). If you need to contact the CMS, the number for an existing case with the CMS is 0800 171 2345 and for a new case is 0800 988 0988 or you can go to their website here: https://www.gov.uk/child-maintenance-service. CMSAS Limited consultants are specialists in the Statutory Scheme of child support, as administered by the Child Maintenance Service. We would like to make you aware that we are not the gov.uk Child Maintenance Service (CMS). We are a private company that provide a chargeable service of support, guidance and advice to both Receiving and Paying Parents, with Child Maintenance issues, assessments, appeals, tribunals and all Child Maintenance matters pertaining to the CMS (Child Maintenance Service) and/or HMCTS (Her Majesty’s Courts and Tribunals Service), including where difficulties develop with the CMS and/or HMCTS.

Rates of Child Support

Rates

Before you can start to calculate Child Support, you need to understand which rate you will fall under. There are four rates, which can apply:

  • Nil Rate
  • Flat Rate
  • Reduced Rate
  • Basic Rate (which includes Basic Rate Plus)

Please note, the below is not an exhaustive list, and we can discuss your exact circumstances with you to ensure you are assessed correctly.

Nil Rate

Some NRPs do not need to pay any child support. This ‘Nil Rate’ applies if the NRP is a child, or is a prisoner/detained in hospital, or age 16/17 receiving Universal Credit or Income Support, (other benefits may be applicable), receiving work-based training for young people, is resident in a care home or independent hospital, or is being provided with a care home service or/and independent healthcare service (however, must receive one of the prescribed benefits for Flat Rate, or has a gross income of less than £7 per week.

Flat Rate

A ‘Flat Rate’ of £7 per week applies if the NRP does not qualify for the Nil Rate and has a weekly income of £100 or less, or is in receipt of one of a number of benefits, or they, or their partner, receives one of the means tested benefits.

Reduced Rate

The Reduced Rate applies if the NRP does not qualify for the Nil Rate or Flat Rate, and their weekly gross income is greater than £100 but less than £200. The Flat Rate of £7 per week is added to a percentage of the parents income between £100 and £200, e.g. if gross income is £150 per week, the percentage is applied to £50. The percentage depends on the number of qualifying children, including any relevant non-resident children the NRP has, as well as the number of other children who live with the NRP.

Basic Rate

The Basic Rate applies if none of the other rates (Nil, Flate or Reduced) apply. If the NRP has a gross weekly income of £200 or more, Child Support is calculated using the Basic Rate. If the gross weekly income is over £800, the ‘Basic Rate Plus’ applies. The maximum amount of gross weekly income that can be included in the Child Support calculation is £3,000. Even if a variation for additional income is being applied, the amount of gross income taken into account cannot be more than this.

Reductions for Qualifying, Relevant Non-Resident & Relevant Other Children

The Basic Rate is a percentage of the NRPs gross weekly income, depending on the number of qualifying children, including the number of any relevant non-resident children they have.

If the NRP has other children living with them, their gross income is reduced by a certain percentage before the basic rate is calculated.

Basic rate; reduction in gross income for relevant other children

Number of relevant other childrenPercentage by which gross income is reduced
One11%
Two14%
Three16%

Basic rate; percentages used to calculate Child Support payable are shown below:

Number of
qualifying children (including
relevant non-resident children)
Percentage of
gross income
up to £800
Percentage of
gross income
above £800
One12%9%
Two16%12%
Three or more19%15%

Further examples of calculations can be found by clicking here.

If you would like to arrange an initial consultation with us, please click here or select one of the options below.

Initial Consultation

We charge £175 (£210 inc. VAT) for an initial consultation.

Additional Consulting Hours

We charge £150 (£180 inc. VAT) for additional hours.

Father and his children