Family Law

Since June 2014, there has been a £20 fee to apply to the 2012 scheme run by the Child Maintenance Service. However, victims of domestic violence or abuse do not have to pay this fee.

This guidance explains:

• how DWP decides whether a person is a victim of domestic violence or abuse;
• who the person applying for maintenance must have reported the violence or abuse to.

This definition of a victim of domestic violence will now also include an applicant who has witnessed the abuse of their child by a current or previous partner, or by a member of their own or the partner's family.