Include benefit income in Child Maintenance calculations

• Petition
• Statistics
• Map

Petition Action

Include benefit income in Child Maintenance calculations

Petition Details

We call on the Government to reform Child Maintenance Service (CMS) rules so payments are based on a parent’s total income, including benefits, not just earnings.

Additional Information

Currently, a working parent earning around £2,000 per month may pay about £240 per child, per month while a parent receiving a similar amount through benefits pays only a flat rate of around £7 per week. This creates unfairness and reduces the financial support children receive.

The cost of raising a child does not change based on where a parent’s income comes from. CMS calculations should reflect the full financial position of both parents to ensure fairness and better support for children.

If you want to sign this petition (as opposed to merely discuss it), you need to do that on the government's e-Petitions website.

Sign this petition
at petition.parliament.uk

Have your say on this petition!