Child maintenance
CMS — request the Domestic Abuse Service Type
Asks the Child Maintenance Service to flag your case as domestic abuse: waive the £20 fee, default to Collect & Pay, give you a single named caseworker, never put you through to the other parent and protect your address.
Information only. This is not legal advice. Court procedures and the law change. Always confirm with a solicitor, Citizens Advice, or a domestic abuse advocate before acting.
REQUEST FOR DOMESTIC ABUSE SERVICE TYPE
Child Maintenance Service
Header
From: [YOUR FULL NAME], NINO [YOUR NI NUMBER]
CMS reference (if known): [CMS REF]
Safe contact address: [SAFE ADDRESS — may be a PO box, refuge or solicitor]
Safe contact email / phone: [EMAIL / PHONE]
To: Child Maintenance Service
Date: [DD / MM / YYYY]
Request
Dear Sir / Madam,
I am a survivor of domestic abuse within the meaning of section 1 of the Domestic Abuse Act 2021. I am the parent with care of [CHILD'S NAME, DOB] (and [ADDITIONAL CHILDREN]). The other parent is [NAME, DOB if known].
Please apply the Domestic Abuse Service Type to my case with immediate effect. In particular I ask you to:
1. Waive the £20 application fee.
2. Default the case to Collect & Pay so I do not have to share bank details with the other parent.
3. Allocate a single named caseworker and provide their direct contact.
4. Mark my address as confidential / safe address and never disclose it to the other parent.
5. Record that I am never to be transferred to a call with the other parent and that no joint discussion is to be attempted.
6. Note that I do not consent to any 'family-based arrangement' route.
I am content to confirm the above on a recorded call with my named caseworker if necessary. Please confirm in writing once the flags have been applied.
Yours faithfully,
[SIGN AND PRINT NAME]