Make child maintenance deductions from an employee's pay

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When you must contact the Child Maintenance Service

You must contact the Child Maintenance Service within 10 days if:

  • you’re asked to set up a deduction from earnings order (DEO) for someone who does not work for you
  • there’s a problem setting up an employee’s DEO
  • your employee leaves your employment
  • your business stops trading

How to contact the Child Maintenance Service

You can either:

Child Maintenance Service Employer Payment Team
2012scheme.employerservice@dwp.gov.uk
Telephone: 0800 232 1961
Relay UK (if you cannot hear or speak on the phone): 18001 then 0800 232 1961
Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm
Find out about call charges

Christmas and New Year closing times

The Child Maintenance Service helpline will be closed on:

  • Wednesday 24 December 2025
  • Thursday 25 December 2025
  • Friday 26 December 2025
  • Thursday 1 January 2026
  • Friday 2 January 2026 - closed in Scotland only