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  • Breadcrumb

    1. Home
    2. Family, home and community
    3. Parenting and childcare
    4. Child Maintenance Service

    CMS support in domestic abuse or violence

    If you have experienced domestic violence or abuse, the Child Maintenance Service (CMS) can help you get money the other parent is supposed to pay you. You don't need any contact with the other parent to get help from the CMS.

    Keeping your name or location safe from the other parent

    By using the Direct Pay service, you can arrange child maintenance without the other parent knowing your new identity or bank account details.

    Using your own name 

    If you have a bank account in your own name, you can use it. You might be able to set up a new account using your previous name if you still have identification documents your bank will accept.

    Non-geographic bank accounts

    Many banks and building societies offer accounts that use a central or national sort code instead of a sort code for a local branch where the account was opened.  

    If you're worried the other parent could trace you by your bank account’s sort code, ask your bank to set up an account with a non-geographic sort code. CMS can give you a letter for your bank explaining why you need to set up this type of account.

    Automated money transfer

    There are different organisations that offer a money transfer service online or through post offices. To set up a transfer, they need an email or telephone number. These services usually charge fees. Check with the service provider to make sure you understand any charges

    Standing order

    If you don't mind sharing your bank account details with the other parent, CMS can give them your bank account details. 

    Getting information and advice

    If you have suffered domestic violence or abuse, go to:

    • Domestic violence and abuse

    Getting help from the Housing Executive

    The Housing Executive is responsible for helping certain people who are homeless or threatened with homelessness.

    Usually they'll consider you legally homeless if it's not reasonable for you to live in your home because of the risk or fear of domestic violence.

    Sometimes they have a duty to provide emergency accommodation while they decide if you are legally homeless.

    To contact the Housing Executive, go to:

    • Housing Executive

    More useful links

    • Apply for Child Maintenance
    • Calculate child maintenance
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    Child Maintenance Service

    • Apply for Child Maintenance
    • Arranging child maintenance yourself
    • Calculate child maintenance
    • Child maintenance terms and their meaning
    • Child maintenance: an introduction
    • CMS support in domestic abuse or violence
    • Dealing with relationship problems
    • Having a child maintenance arrangement
    • Making arrangements through the Child Maintenance Service
    • Manage your child maintenance case online

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