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Still Their Dad

What happens if I miss a child maintenance payment?

Short answer: if you are on Direct Pay and miss or are late with a payment, the receiving parent can report it. The CMS can then take over collection, which adds fees, and if arrears build up it can enforce them, including taking the money straight from your wages.

What can happen

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  • The receiving parent reports the missed or late payment to the CMS.
  • The CMS can move your case from Direct Pay to Collect & Pay. That adds a fee of 20% on top for the paying parent, and takes 4% off the receiving parent.
  • If arrears build up, the CMS can enforce them. The most common method is a Deduction from Earnings Order, where your employer takes the money straight from your pay before you get it. There are tougher powers for persistent non-payment.

If it was a genuine one-off

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A single late payment, a bank holiday or a banking glitch, can still trigger this, which feels harsh. Keep proof of every payment (bank statements). If the CMS has it wrong, ask for a mandatory reconsideration and send the evidence.

The calm play

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  • Pay on time, every time, ideally by standing order so it cannot slip.
  • If you genuinely cannot pay one month, tell the CMS early rather than going quiet.
  • Never stop paying because contact is being blocked. The two are separate, and stopping just lands you in arrears and enforcement.

More on how it all works on child maintenance and the CMS.

Where to get real help

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Last reviewed: 18 June 2026. CMS rules and figures change, so check the official links above before you rely on anything here.