Ex closed down my CSA claim - how is that possible

splreece

hi all, just a quick one.

I opened a CMS claim to get a calc and formal arrangement for payments as my ex has a tendancy to lie, cheat and steal where she can

I was contacted yesterday and received a letter today to say that my ex has closed the cms claim a year after opened and in payment.

How is this possible?
Is this possible if the claim was started by me and is in my name?

TBagpuss

Have you asked the CMS that question?

However, if she is the recipient and has told them that payment is now being dealt with voluntarily, and that she was happy for it to be closed, I don't think they would have any reason to keep it open.

It is my understanding that if she sought to reopen a claim, she would only be able to claim from the date of her new application (i.e. she could not seek back payments by saying you had not previously paid) Ask the CMS to confirm to you n writing that the claim has been closed, and ask them what happens if she wants to reopen it later. Alternatively, reopen it yourself.

Obviously if you are the parent with care and she is the one making payments the situation is different.

If you are the one paying, and the claim has been closed, make sure that you are making payments by standing order with a reference such as 'child maintenance', and keep all you P60s so that if she does try to reopen it you can prove that you have continued to make payments.