As a parent who is in receipt of child maintenance for my daughter, I am disappointed and frustrated with the guidance on repayments and the payment system.

The last 13 months have been difficult and with COVID the living costs have been hard on all parents. My daughters father has underpaid what he should have in the last 13 months (since December 2020) and now in total owes £1406.44 in back payments. 
I have contacted the child maintenance service on numerous occasions in regards to this matter, to be told he only has to pay back arrears from August 2021.

So my argument is, why shouldn’t he pay the full amount from December 2020? If a regular person was in debt with a company such as littlewoods or barclaycard etc, they would be in debt to them until it was paid. So why doesn’t the same apply to child maintenance?

All children have the right to this money to ensure their home is warm and they are fed and clothed, outdoor activities, school trips etc. This money is for them and BOTH parents should pay for THEIR child. A lot of us didn’t choose to be single parents, I certainly didn’t, it was out of my hands and I think that it’s unfair that the parent who looks after that child 24/7 should suffer and take the load on.  

In my case it’s the father who doesn’t pay the right amount, but in many cases it may be the opposite and it may be the mother who’s not paying the right amount. In all cases both parents should be responsible for their children.
We need change, the stress of money has been hard, where I have had to take on the pressure of paying for most things for my daughter.  I know myself and other parents feel the same. So let’s fight for child maintenance to take quicker and more drastic action. 

Thank you for your support

Zoe