Child Maintenance Service — Who Qualifies and How to Apply

Child maintenance is financial support that helps pay for your child's living costs when one parent does not live with the child. It is usually arranged after parents separate, but it also applies if you have never been in a relationship with the other parent. Both parents are responsible for the costs of raising their children, even if one parent does not see the child.

You must have a child maintenance arrangement if your child is under 16, or under 20 if they are in approved education or training (for example A-levels, NVQs or other recognised courses).

There are two main ways to arrange child maintenance. The first is a private (family-based) arrangement, where both parents agree the amount and how it is paid between themselves. This is free and flexible but is not legally enforceable. The second is using the Child Maintenance Service (CMS), a government service that can work out the amount, collect and pass on payments, and take action if a parent does not pay.

Who qualifies to use the Child Maintenance Service

You can apply to the CMS if you are the parent with day-to-day care of the child, or another person who normally lives with the child and shares care (such as a grandparent or other relative in some cases). The paying parent is the parent who does not live with the child. The CMS can also try to find the other parent if you do not know where they are, and can sort out disagreements about parentage.

You can use the CMS even if you do not want the other parent to know your location or personal details. If it is not safe for the other parent to contact you or your child, tell the CMS when you apply — for example if you are experiencing domestic abuse.

How child maintenance is worked out

The CMS uses a set formula based on the paying parent's gross income (before tax), the number of children, and how many nights the child stays with the paying parent. There are different rates depending on the paying parent's income: the basic rate, the reduced rate and the flat rate. You can read the full calculation on GOV.UK.

Child maintenance payments do not affect any benefits you or your children receive, including Universal Credit, and you do not pay tax on them.

How to apply

The easiest way to start is to use the 'Get help arranging child maintenance' online tool on GOV.UK. This free tool explains your options, helps you set up a private arrangement if you choose, and lets you apply to the Child Maintenance Service if you decide to use it.

Apply online (Get help arranging child maintenance): https://child-maintenance.service.gov.uk/get-help-arranging-child-maintenance/

If you cannot use the online tool, you can call the Child Maintenance Service. Contact details are on GOV.UK: https://www.gov.uk/child-maintenance-service/contact

When you contact the CMS, you will need the reference number from the 'Get help arranging child maintenance' tool, your bank details, and your National Insurance number. If you are the paying parent, you will also be asked about your employment details, your income and any benefits you receive, and private pension contributions.

Official information and links

Full guide to the Child Maintenance Service (GOV.UK): https://www.gov.uk/child-maintenance-service

How to apply (GOV.UK): https://www.gov.uk/child-maintenance-service/how-to-apply

How child maintenance is worked out (GOV.UK): https://www.gov.uk/how-child-maintenance-is-worked-out

Sign in to your Child Maintenance Service account: https://childmaintenanceservice.direct.gov.uk/onlinerevive/public/landing-screen

Get help if you are experiencing domestic abuse (GOV.UK): https://www.gov.uk/guidance/domestic-abuse-how-to-get-help

This information is for guidance only and is based on GOV.UK. For full and up-to-date details, always check the official GOV.UK pages linked above.