We'd like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum... Read More » This is to keep it a safe and useful space for MoneySaving discussions. Threads that are - or become - political in nature may be removed in line with the Forum’s rules. Thank you for your understanding.

We're aware that some users are experiencing technical issues which the team are working to resolve. Thank you for your patience.

📨 Have you signed up to the Forum's new Email Digest yet? Get a selection of trending threads sent straight to your inbox daily, weekly or monthly!

Child support

Get help with child support or child maintenance arrangements.

When exactly does my quarterly entitlement to Tax Free Childcare refresh?
Simple question but I can’t find the answer anywhere. Is there a set date on which my quarterly entitlement to Tax Free Childcare refreshes? If so, how can I find out when it is? Obviously I realise that it’s roughly once every three months, but it’d be helpful if I could diarise the precise date.
Child Maintenance
My daughter is 18 and has just finished her A levels and has left college. When would I stop my child maintenance payments? I’ve read that’s university doesn’t count as full time education and that I can stop payments on 31st August?
Child Maintenance Payments
My daughter was married to an abusive man that continues to harass her whenever possible. They have an 11 year old son for which he pays child maintenance. The child will shortly go into hospital for a month. Shortly after his release he is will go on holiday for three weeks with his mother. The ex husband says that he…
Notional Charge on Assets
Hello All, I am a Paying Parent who recently opted out of a Consent Order to open a case with the CMS. I have a question about the guidelines or rules about how the CMS assesses a notional charge on assets because I find it pretty confusing. My understanding is that any asset which appears with HMRC such as rental income…
Changing 15hrs code to 30hrs code
Hi, does anyone know the process for transitioning from a 15hrs funded childcare code to 30hrs code on your child turning 3? Our daughter will be 3 in August. We are currently on tax free childcare and 15 funded hours. As her nursery is also closing in August we’re having to look for a new place. All the nursery options…
Mature Student - 15 free childcare hours (or not)
Hi there, I can’t be the only person who is struggling with this… I am going to be a mature student starting a PGCE to become a teacher in September. I’ve been working full time for the last 14 years (paying tax). I am entitled to a childcare grant £3,600 for the year but my childcare fees monthly are £1100. So this grant…
Child care 15 hours
I have just started the hunt for a nursery for my child. I have found that most the nurseries that I have contacted that accept the free 15 hours say that the 15 hours only counts as 1 full day care 7:30-5:30 which is 10 hrs is this right? I haven't found a nursery that carries the other 5 hrs over to a second day
Free Childcare
Please can someone confrim correct my understanding of this system. I earn £105k per year and my wife earns £41k. Our child has just turned 12 months and is at child minders. Its understood that from September 1 years olds can receive 15 hours of free childcare? Its my understanding that noe is available prior to this? As…
30 Hours Free child care withdrawn
My wife increased her self employed hours in July 2023 and we started claiming the 30 hours free child care. We actually only use 18 hours so are in effect claiming for 3 hours a week above the 15. HMRC have canceled our account based on previous years tax returns not meeting the threshold. They keep asking for a 2023/24…
Help/advice on child maintenance and mortgage
Hi all, new here so hello! Have been browsing forum trying to find an answer to a problem. Separated but we aren't/weren't married. 2 children who live primarily with their mother (I have them one sometimes two nights a week). They live in the family home which is in my name. The problem I have is I can't pay the child…
15/30 Free Childcare - Salary >£100k
Hi Money Saving Expert, I've recently been offered a new role, however the base salary is now £125k which means I am no longer eligible for free childcare support (15/30hrs). Is it worth putting in £25k+ into my pension to reduce my adjusted net income to below £100k so that I am eligible for the childcare support and…
Social Services Solicitors in London
I am seeking solicitors who specialise in handling cases involving Social Services. Despite searching online, I have had difficulty finding many London-based solicitors with this expertise. I have evidence of mistakes made by our social services and wish to hold them accountable. If anyone can recommend a reputable…
My property taken into account.
Hi all thanks in advance for any help. I am currently separated from my wife and about to start divorce proceedings. However we currently get our wages both paid into a joint account. I am wanting to now get my wages paid into my own account but don't want to be seen in a negative manor. I am wanting to start straight away…
Age to stop Court child Arrangement order?
I have a child arrangement order with my ex husband via the courtMy eldest is 16 years now and hes special needsmy other kids are normal and they are 12 and 10 years. Pls when will the child arrangement order via the court end? As theres no mention of an end date
Child maintenance - variations for home schooling
Currently pay child maintenance to my ex for our 2 children, I have 1 child with my new partner and her 2 children that live with us which the amount is based on by CMS. 1 of my partners children is home schooled which is an additional expense for us - could this been used as a variation in the child maintenance I…
Child Benefit - Pension Contributions
Hi, I am restarting my Child Benefit claim as I earn between the £60k and £80k threshold. Since claiming Child Benefit last, I have moved to a salary sacrifice pension scheme where pension contributions are made from my gross salary. Reading the MSE article on Child Benefit it states: "Employer pension scheme: If it goes…
Trouble getting money back.
Hi all. New here but at my wits end. My children are over 18 so no ongoing case but there is an arrears with an agreement in place for me to make weekly payments, which I have as a standing order. I lost my job late last year so it messed this up and was on UC for a month and then found new employment on a lesser salary.…
CSA or old court system...
I know in England and Wales the CSA may be the only support collection on offer (dont know about Scotland)but we were first with the court system, late/missed payments ended up in magistrates and a possible custodial term meant arrears magically got paid... Forcibly switched to the CSA and the AP ran up £6000 arrears which…
Child Maintenance advice
Hi All. Got text this morning informing me my child maintenance payments are increasing by almost £300 month. I have always informed cms of my income and paid on time the full amount every month. I have today been informed by CMS this is to cover arrears. I was not made aware of arrears until today. As instructed by CMS…
30 hours free child care
Hello there, With reference to 30 hours for working families. We both currently earn above the threshold. However we are trying for a second baby. During maternity leave, my wifes pay will obviously drop and she will no longer earn the required amount. Do we then lose our 30 hour entitlement? Are there any protections for…

★ ★ ★ Meet your Ambassadors

Confirm your email address to Create Threads and Reply

MSE News

Ofgem proposes new 'no standing charge' Price Cap – but Martin Lewis warns vulnerable customers need to be opted in or it won't work
Ofgem has today launched detailed proposals for a major shake up to its Energy Price Cap that dictates the price over 80% of homes in England, Scotland and Wales pay for their energy bills.
Lloyds, Halifax and Bank of Scotland to cut overdraft rates for millions but hike them for others – here's what's happening and full help
If you're a Lloyds, Halifax or Bank of Scotland current account holder, the interest rate you're charged for using your overdraft could change soon as part of a fees shake-up. The Lloyds Banking Group, which owns all three brands, says millions of its customers will pay less after the changes – but a "few" will pay more.
Warm Home Discount expansion confirmed with millions more eligible for the £150 top-up this winter – here's what we know
Around 2.7 million more low-income households, including 900,000 families with children, will become eligible for the £150 Warm Home Discount this winter, as the Government has confirmed it will remove the existing 'hard to heat' eligibility criteria. The extension has only been confirmed for winter 2025/26, with further changes possible for future years.
Martin Lewis: At last a chance to fix Council Tax flaws impacting millions – debt collection, difficulty challenging your band, discounts and more
Major flaws in the Council Tax system in England could finally be fixed in future, as the Government has launched a wide-ranging consultation to review hideous debt collection practices, the difficulty of challenging your band, the overly complex and horribly-named Severe Mental Impairment discount and more. MoneySavingExpert.com founder Martin Lewis, who has long campaigned on these issues, shares his response and analysis.
Energy complaints to be dealt with more quickly and Energy Ombudsman to get new powers under Government plans
If you have a complaint about your energy firm, it may be resolved more quickly in future, as the Government has announced a raft of proposals to strengthen consumer protections in the energy market. The planned changes include giving the Energy Ombudsman new powers to force firms to comply with its decisions – but it's still very early days. Here's what we know so far.
Warm Home Discount expansion confirmed with millions more eligible for the £150 top-up this winter – here's what we know
Around 2.7 million more households, including 900,000 families with children, will become eligible for the £150 Warm Home Discount this winter, as the Government has confirmed it will remove the existing 'hard to heat' eligibility criteria. The extension has only been confirmed for winter 2025/26, with further changes possible for future years.
Base rate held at 4.25% – here's what it means and when it might be cut next
The Bank of England has held the base rate at 4.25%. Below we explain why, when it might be cut, plus what it means for your mortgage and savings.
Applied for South West Trains 'boundary fares' compensation? Act now to claim it
If you applied for compensation from South West Trains before the deadline in January 2025, you now need to provide your bank details to the claim administrator so it can be paid to you. Here's what you need to know.
Winter Fuel Payments to be reinstated for millions – Martin Lewis explains how it'll work, what it means and if it's an improvement
All State Pensioners in England and Wales will receive a Winter Fuel Payment this winter, though those who earn over £35,000 will see it clawed back through the tax system. It means nine million pensioners will get the £200 or £300 top-up. Here MoneySavingExpert.com founder Martin Lewis shares his instant response and analysis, and we include answers to your key questions.

View All

Child support

Confirm your email address to Create Threads and Reply

🚀 Getting Started

Categories

Is this how you want to be seen?

Get our FREE Weekly email full of deals & guides - and it’s spam-free

Child support

Discussion List

Confirm your email address to Create Threads and Reply

🚀 Getting Started

Categories

Is this how you want to be seen?

Get our FREE Weekly email full of deals & guides - and it’s spam-free