How Long Does Collect and Pay Take?

What is Collect and Pay?

Collect and Pay is the CMS service where the CMS collects maintenance from the paying parent and passes it to the receiving parent. It's an alternative to Direct Pay, where parents handle the transfer themselves.

Collect and Pay comes with fees: the paying parent is charged an additional 20% on top of the maintenance amount, and the receiving parent has 4% deducted from each payment they receive.

How long does it take?

Once you move to Collect and Pay, timescales vary:

Setting up: 2–6 weeks from the decision to use Collect and Pay to the first collection from the paying parent
First payment to you: typically 1–3 weeks after the CMS collects it from the paying parent
Ongoing payments: regular payments are usually made weekly or monthly depending on how the paying parent is paid

In total, from switching to Collect and Pay to receiving your first payment, allow approximately 4–10 weeks.

What if there are delays?

Delays are unfortunately common, especially in the early stages. If you haven't received a payment you expected:

Log in to your CMS online account to check the status
Call the CMS on 0800 171 2345
Ask for a payment schedule so you know when to expect money

💡 Tip: CMS agents vary widely in quality. If you receive incorrect or unhelpful advice — hang up and call back. A different agent can make all the difference. Always note the date, time, and name of the person you spoke to.

Can I switch from Collect and Pay to Direct Pay?

Yes, if both parents agree and the paying parent has a good payment record, you can switch to Direct Pay to avoid the fees. Contact the CMS to discuss this.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Collect and Pay cost more?

The CMS charges fees for Collect and Pay to cover the administrative cost of collecting and passing on payments. The paying parent pays 20% extra; the receiving parent loses 4% of each payment.

Can the CMS guarantee payment dates?

No. The CMS passes on money after it collects it from the paying parent, so if the paying parent delays, this flows through to when you receive it. If payments are regularly late, the CMS can take enforcement action.