Many separated parents not living with their children have lost their jobs or are getting paid less and are not able to afford what they previously paid towards their care. Meanwhile, incredibly, despite the large number of families affected, Universal Credit continues to fail to take into account Child Maintenance payments.

BBC News quoted us in the article saying: 

"The government must urgently act on the recommendations of its own investigative body and ensure that under Universal Credit neither parent is pushed below the poverty line" and "the government needed to ensure Universal Credit assessments took into account statutory Child Maintenance payments."

The article also reported a DWP statement saying: 

"No-one will get away with giving false information to avoid paying what they owe and all decisions carry rights of appeal, so either parent can dispute a decision."

The Department for Work and Pensions has allowed parents to change the amount they pay towards their child's upkeep without any investigation as it does not have enough staff. However, it warned parents who abuse the system may end up in court. Coronavirus outbreak has led to an unprecedented rise in numbers of people claiming universal credit which has required Child Maintenance support staff to be redeployed.

It's good to see that the message about unaffordable Child Maintenance assessments is getting some attention. You can read the BBC News full article "Coronavirus: Children face poverty over maintenance cuts" by clicking here.

Please don't forget to check our latest guidance on Universal Credit and Child Maintenance. If you have a Covid-19 related story that you'd be willing for us to use in anonymous case studies, please send them to admin@fnf.org.uk with 'Covid-19' in the subject heading.

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