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Ok guys, thanks for all your help. It is now all sorted and the following information im sure will be beneficial to many. I have been writing to the cms for months asking for clarification what happens when the maintenance ends and you are left with arreras only. I never received a reply. A week before the case closed, I contacted my MP and worked via the caseworker. She contacted the cms and they did confirm that the deo would be cancelled on the said date and they would phone me to negotiate the arrears. Anyway the week passed by, the deo was not cancelled and another payment went out, despite all the letters etc. I spoke to my MPs caseworker again who in turn contacted the cms and they said it was down to the caseworker to end the deo, she also informed me that she had told them to contact me as a matter of urgency. To my shock, the cms caseworker did actually phone me the next day. He confirmed that he had just cancelled the deo. Now I was prepared for a negotiation fight, knowing how the cms treat people, but again to my shock he asked me what I could afford monthly,which I said £140, he then worked out my age (retirement) and REDUCED it to £100 over 9 years!! result, I thought I would have to give my essential payments and proof etc and expected the 40% axe, but the negotiation took less than 1 min. So the case is now closed, and im £380 a month better off. goodluck to everyone else, I hope this helps someone.
@mickr that’s great so would you recommend when having problems with them to try and get your local mp involved
@maddad23 as long as you have a just complaint I would highly recommend it. The MPs don't actually do anything, it's the unsung caseworkers who deserve a pat on the back. I've had various problems over the years and my MPs caseworker has always resolved my issues. I didn't just do it for myself though, I have written many letters to various departments and MPs over the injustice of the system. I had no complaints about supporting my kids, just the horrific amounts they charge is scandalous, and to me, maintenance should end at 18, not 20! I'm only a small cog in a large wheel but the more complaints they get the more they are likely to change things. If I can help just one person id be happy. all the best
@mickr yeah I can see it changing eventually you said something about you having to give the cms your essential payments and proof do they normally do this when collecting arrears because fixed costs such as rent can’t be lowered so I feel I should be left with that if I was to go into arrears
@maddad23 thats what I was expecting but I was not asked for anything, he just asked what I could afford and didn't quibble. They like to collect the arrears over 2 years, but this is a fallacy. They have to go to court to get a deo (deductions from earnings order) If you have offered an amount even if it is ridiculously low they know the court will accept that even if it is over a very long time. Arrears are different from maintenance.
@maddad23 For arrears only they dont, in fact they give you alot of extra leeway. As I said I have an extra £300+ a month now. I found paying 40% maintenance i couldn't pay my basic cost of living, this is non-negotiable. I ended up changing jobs and downsizing in accommodation vastly just to survive.
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