Questions
- Why do some deduction from earnings orders have National Insurance numbers instead of reference numbers?
- Why do we sometimes get more than one deductions from earnings order for an employee?
- An employee has told me he will have a deductions from earnings order. Should I start deductions while I wait for your confirmation?
- What is a reference number?
- When should a reference number be used?
- Why is there more than one reference number?
- Why is it important to use the correct reference number?
- Which reference number should I use?
- Do we need to notify anyone if an employee with a deduction from earnings order leaves our employment, and if so, how?
- Should the protected earnings figure be a for a monetary value or a percentage (60%)?
Why do some deduction from earnings orders have National Insurance numbers instead of reference numbers?
Deduction from earnings orders that are issued with a National Insurance number are for cases that have been assessed under the new rules since 3rd March 2003. Until all the existing cases are transferred over to the new scheme, we will be operating two different schemes. Cases assessed under the old rules will continue to quote reference numbers on the orders. As an employer you may therefore receive deduction from earnings orders with either reference numbers or national insurance numbers.
Why do we sometimes get more than one deductions from earnings order for an employee?
Sometimes a non resident parent has more than one case and is paying maintenance for children by different parents with care. If they have multiple cases calculated under the new rules there will only ever be one deduction from earnings order which will show the National Insurance number. You will make one payment to the Agency and we will split the payment between the relevant children once received
For multiple cases under the old rules you may receive more than one deduction from earnings order which will show the 10-digit reference number; you will need to make a payment for each order you hold for each employee. If your payroll is already set up with payment schedules these may need to be changed to ensure the correct deductions are made.
There is more information about payment schedules in the leaflet
"What is my role in helping my employees pay Child Maintenance?" [PDF 216Kb]
An employee says they will have a deductions from earnings order. Should I start deductions while I wait for your confirmation?
The employer should always wait until advised by the Child Support Agency about the amount to take from the non-resident parent's wages. This is because we sometimes take time between making a calculation and advising of a collection schedule. If the employer deducts what is advised on the non-resident parent's notification, it is possible the wrong amount may be deducted. This in turn will lead to further contact between Child Support Agency and employers, which could have been avoided.
What is a reference number?
A reference number is a unique identifier, which is individual to a client of the Child Support Agency.
When should a reference number be used?
The correct reference number should be used when sending payments or any correspondence to the Agency.
Why is there more than one reference number?
We are currently operating two schemes, one for cases assessed under the old rules pre March 2003 and one for new rules cases. Old rules cases are identified by a reference number and new rules cases by a National insurance number
Why is it important to use the correct reference number?
This ensures that as soon as payments and correspondence are sent to the Child Support Agency, they can be automatically actioned and processed, which means that the child maintenance is paid out to the parent with care as soon as possible. Quoting incorrect reference numbers delays this, as we have to spend time manually matching the payments and clients together.
Which reference number should I use?
A simple rule is to quote the most recent number highlighted in the last letter we sent to you.
Do we need to notify anyone if an employee with a deduction from earnings order leaves our employment, and if so, how?
If an employee leaves you must inform the Child Support Agency within 10 days. If you contact us by letter, please send it to the Child Support Agency centre which sent you the deduction from earnings order. If you contact us by telephone, please ring the National Helpline on 08457 133 133.
Should the protected earnings figure be a for a monetary value or a percentage (60%)?
The Agency must send out the deduction from earnings order with a monetary amount (for protected earnings). If you receive an order which does not contain a monetary amount, you should contact the Child Support Agency centre who sent you the order, and ask them to send you a revised order. You should return the incorrect order to the originating Child Support Agency centre.
Related information
For child maintenance worked out on or after 3 March 2003
For child maintenance worked out before 3 March 2003
- Read our leaflet
"Advice to employers" [PDF 261Kb]
