From today, all new applicants to the Child Maintenance Service will be charged a fee of £20 for making their application, unless they are able to demonstrate that they are a victim of domestic violence, are residents of Northern Ireland or are aged under 19.
Further, from 11 August 2014, Collection Charges will apply to maintenance payments (4% deducted from the maintenance received and 20% added on to the maintenance paid by the non-resident parent). The government have said that the new scheme will “will support more families to work together and maintain a subsidised service for those who really need it”
Further details about the changes can be found here.