Child maintenance application fees introduced

The Minister for Pensions has announced the introduction of charges for people applying to the Child Maintenance Service which take effect this week.

All new applicants to the Child Maintenance Service from 30 June 2014 will be charged a one-off application fee of £20. However, the fee will not apply to anyone who: is a victim of domestic violence and has reported this to an appropriate person or organisation, including a solicitor is a resident of Northern Ireland is aged under 19. For more information visit www.gov.uk/government/news/fairness-for-families-children-and-taxpayers-as-new-child-maintenance-system-is-launched