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How the Child Maintenance Service works out child maintenance

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How to set up or manage a child maintenance arrangement, including what to do if a parent does not pay, how to contact the Child Maintenance Service, and signing in to your account.

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Child Maintenance Service: What child maintenance is - GOV.UK

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<p>Child maintenance covers how your child’s living costs will be paid when one of the parents does not live with the child. It’s made when you’ve separated from the other parent or if you’ve never been in a relationship.</p>

<p>This is a financial arrangement between you and the other parent of your child. <a href="/looking-after-children-divorce">Making arrangements to see your child</a> happens separately.</p>

<div role="note" aria-label="Information" class="application-notice info-notice">
  <p>This guide is also available <a href="/gwasanaeth-cynhaliaeth-plant">in Welsh (Cymraeg)</a>.</p>
</div>

<p>You must have a child maintenance arrangement if your child is under 16 (or under 20 if they are in <a href="/child-maintenance-service/when-child-maintenance-stops">approved education or training</a>).</p>

<p>Both parents are responsible for the costs of raising their children, even if they do not see them.</p>

<div role="note" aria-label="Information" class="application-notice info-notice">
  <p><a rel="external" href="https://childmaintenanceservice.direct.gov.uk/onlinerevive/public/landing-screen">Sign in to your Child Maintenance Service account</a> if you already have one.</p>
</div>

<h2 id="options-for-arranging-child-maintenance">Options for arranging child maintenance</h2>

<p>Child maintenance can be arranged:</p>

<ul>
  <li>
<a href="/child-maintenance-service/private-arrangement">privately between parents</a>, if both parents agree</li>
  <li>through the Child Maintenance Service</li>
</ul>

<p>The Child Maintenance Service can:</p>

<ul>
  <li><a href="/how-child-maintenance-is-worked-out">work out an amount to pay</a></li>
  <li>
<a href="/child-maintenance-service/payments">arrange payments</a> and take action if a parent does not pay</li>
  <li>sort out <a href="/child-maintenance-service/disagreements-about-parentage">disagreements about parentage</a>
</li>
  <li>try to find the other parent if you do not know where they are</li>
</ul>

<h3 id="if-you-do-not-want-your-childs-other-parent-to-contact-you-or-your-child">If you do not want your child’s other parent to contact you or your child</h3>

<p>You can <a href="/child-maintenance-service/how-to-apply">use the Child Maintenance Service</a> to arrange child maintenance if you do not want your child’s other parent to know your location or personal information.</p>

<div role="note" aria-label="Information" class="application-notice info-notice">
  <p><a href="/guidance/domestic-abuse-how-to-get-help">Find out how to get help if you’re experiencing domestic abuse</a>.</p>
</div>

<h2 id="how-it-affects-benefits">How it affects benefits</h2>

<p>Child maintenance payments will not affect any benefits that you and your children get, including Universal Credit. You will not have to pay tax on them.</p>


Child Maintenance Service


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What child maintenance is

<p>Your child needs to be under 16 - or under 20 if they are in <a href="/child-maintenance-service/when-child-maintenance-stops">approved education or training</a>.</p>

<p>You need to live in the UK as your main home and have the right to live here.</p>

<p>You can apply if you’re:</p>

<ul>
  <li>either parent (you do not need to live with the child)</li>
  <li>a grandparent with main day-to-day care of the child</li>
  <li>the child’s guardian</li>
  <li>a child over 12 living in Scotland</li>
</ul>

<p>If you do not have an income and you’re either a full-time student or in prison, you do not have to pay child maintenance. There’s no need to apply.</p>

<p>You cannot use the Child Maintenance Service if you have an existing consent order approved by a court that is less than a year old.</p>

<h2 id="if-one-of-the-parents-lives-or-works-outside-the-uk">If one of the parents lives or works outside the UK</h2>

<p>You cannot apply if the child and the parent with main day-to-day care live outside the UK.</p>

<p>You usually cannot apply if the parent without main day-to-day care lives and works outside the UK.</p>

<p>You might be able to apply if they work abroad for certain British organisations, for example:</p>

<ul>
  <li>the Civil Service</li>
  <li>His Majesty’s Diplomatic Service</li>
  <li>the armed forces</li>
  <li>a company or organisation based and registered in the UK</li>
  <li>the NHS</li>
  <li>a UK local authority</li>
</ul>

<p>If you cannot make an application through the Child Maintenance Service, you can make a <a href="/child-maintenance-service/private-arrangement">private child maintenance arrangement</a>.</p>


Eligibility

<p>You can either arrange child maintenance:</p>

<ul>
  <li>privately between parents, if both parents agree</li>
  <li>through the Child Maintenance Service</li>
</ul>

<h2 id="get-help-arranging-child-maintenance">Get help arranging child maintenance</h2>

<p>Use the ‘Get help arranging child maintenance’ tool to:</p>

<ul>
  <li>find out about your options for paying or getting support for your child</li>
  <li>find out how to make a private arrangement, if you choose to do this</li>
  <li>apply to the Child Maintenance Service, if you choose to use it</li>
</ul>

<p><a class="gem-c-button govuk-button govuk-button--start" role="button" data-module="govuk-button" data-ga4-attributes='{"event_name":"navigation","type":"start button"}' draggable="false" href="https://child-maintenance.service.gov.uk/get-help-arranging-child-maintenance/?utm_source=Referral&amp;utm_medium=GOV_UK&amp;utm_campaign=how-to-apply"><span> Start now </span><svg class="govuk-button__start-icon govuk-!-display-none-print" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="17.5" height="19" viewbox="0 0 33 40" focusable="false" aria-hidden="true"><path fill="currentColor" d="M0 0h13l20 20-20 20H0l20-20z"></path></svg></a></p>

<p>If you cannot use the ‘Get help arranging child maintenance’ tool, <a href="/child-maintenance-service/contact">call the Child Maintenance Service</a>.</p>

<h2 id="if-you-decide-to-use-the-child-maintenance-service">If you decide to use the Child Maintenance Service</h2>

<p>When you contact the Child Maintenance Service, you’ll need:</p>

<ul>
  <li>the reference number you got from the ‘Get help arranging child maintenance’ tool</li>
  <li>your bank details</li>
  <li>your National Insurance number</li>
</ul>

<p>If you do not have day-to-day care of the child, you’ll also be asked about:</p>

<ul>
  <li>your employment details</li>
  <li>your income and any benefits you get</li>
  <li>private pension contributions</li>
</ul>

<p>Tell the Child Maintenance Service if it’s not safe for the other parent to know your name (if you’ve changed it) or your location.</p>

<div role="note" aria-label="Information" class="application-notice info-notice">
  <p><a href="/guidance/domestic-abuse-how-to-get-help">Find out how to get help if you’re experiencing domestic abuse</a>.</p>
</div>

<p>Tell the Child Maintenance Service if the paying parent has <a href="/how-child-maintenance-is-worked-out/ask-other-income-expenses-included">other income or expenses that you want them to consider</a> when working out payments. This is called ‘applying for a variation’. Either parent can apply.</p>

<h3 id="how-your-information-is-used">How your information is used</h3>

<p>The Child Maintenance Service will use your information to:</p>

<ul>
  <li>share your name and your child’s name with the other parent (your address is not shared)</li>
  <li>share your contact details with other government organisations, debt collection agencies or the courts, if needed (details about your case are not shared)</li>
  <li>look for the paying parent if you do not know their address</li>
</ul>

<p>If the Child Maintenance Service cannot get the information from you or the other parent, they’ll contact:</p>

<ul>
  <li>the paying parent’s employer</li>
  <li>government organisations like Jobcentre Plus</li>
  <li>prison services or local councils</li>
  <li>the paying parent’s bank or building society</li>
</ul>


How to apply

<p>Payments can be arranged:</p>

<ul>
  <li>
<a href="/child-maintenance-service/private-arrangement">privately between parents</a>, if both parents agree</li>
  <li>through the Child Maintenance Service</li>
</ul>

<p>If you use the Child Maintenance Service, they will <a href="/how-child-maintenance-is-worked-out">work out your child maintenance amount</a> based on the paying parent’s circumstances.</p>

<p>There are 2 ways to manage payments through the Child Maintenance Service:</p>

<ul>
  <li>the paying parent makes payments directly to the receiving parent (Direct Pay)</li>
  <li>the Child Maintenance Service collects and passes on payments (Collect and Pay) - there are fees for this service</li>
</ul>

<p>When you apply, both parents can say how they’d prefer to manage payments.</p>

<p>If the paying parent does not pay in full or on time, the Child Maintenance Service can change the payment method to Collect and Pay.</p>

<div role="note" aria-label="Information" class="application-notice info-notice">
  <p>If you need help with money as a paying parent or as a parent getting payments, <a href="/cost-of-living">find out what support you can get with the cost of living</a>.</p>
</div>

<h2 id="your-payment-plan">Your payment plan</h2>

<p>After you apply, you’ll get a letter telling you whether your payments will be managed through Direct Pay or Collect and Pay.</p>

<p>The Child Maintenance Service will work out how much should be paid and when. You’ll get another letter with your payment plan telling you:</p>

<ul>
  <li>how much you need to pay and when, if you’re the paying parent</li>
  <li>how much you’ll receive and when, if you’re the receiving parent</li>
</ul>

<p>You can also view your payment plan <a rel="external" href="https://childmaintenanceservice.direct.gov.uk/onlinerevive/public/landing-screen/">in your online account</a>. </p>

<p>The first payment is usually made within 12 weeks of applying.</p>

<p>If you make or receive extra payments, you must <a href="/child-maintenance-service/contact">tell the Child Maintenance Service</a>.</p>

<h3 id="annual-review">Annual review</h3>

<p>The Child Maintenance Service will review your child maintenance amount every 12 months. They’ll check the paying parent’s circumstances to see if the amount should change. This is called the ‘annual review’.</p>

<p>You’ll get a letter telling you <a href="/how-child-maintenance-is-worked-out">how they have worked out your child maintenance amount</a>. You’ll get this even if the amount stays the same. </p>

<p>If there’s a <a href="/child-maintenance-service/change-of-circumstances">change in your circumstances</a> do not wait until the annual review - you must report it as soon as it happens.</p>

<h3 id="if-you-think-your-child-maintenance-amount-is-wrong">If you think your child maintenance amount is wrong</h3>

<p>Contact the Child Maintenance Service if:</p>

<ul>
  <li>you want them to <a href="/child-maintenance-service/complaints-and-appeals">look at the decision again</a> - this is called a ‘mandatory reconsideration’ and you must ask for it within one month of the decision</li>
  <li>the paying parent has <a href="/how-child-maintenance-is-worked-out/ask-other-income-expenses-included">other income or expenses</a> that you want them to take into account - this is called asking for a variation</li>
  <li>you think the other parent is providing <a href="/child-maintenance-service/report-fraud-or-incorrect-information">incorrect information about their circumstances</a>
</li>
</ul>

<p>You can also ask for a variation through <a rel="external" href="https://childmaintenanceservice.direct.gov.uk/onlinerevive/public/landing-screen/">your online account</a>.</p>

<h3 id="if-a-parent-does-not-pay-in-full-or-on-time">If a parent does not pay in full or on time</h3>

<p>Find out what to do if:</p>

<ul>
  <li><a href="/unpaid-child-maintenance/if-youre-owed-child-maintenance">you’re owed child maintenance</a></li>
  <li><a href="/unpaid-child-maintenance/if-you-cannot-pay-full-amount-on-time">you cannot pay the full amount or on time</a></li>
</ul>

<h2 id="direct-pay">Direct Pay</h2>

<p>The paying parent makes payments directly to the receiving parent. You do not pay any collection fees.</p>

<p>Keep a record of payments. If there is a missed payment you may need to provide a copy of your bank statement.</p>

<h3 id="report-changes-or-missed-payments">Report changes or missed payments</h3>

<p>Sign in to <a rel="external" href="https://childmaintenanceservice.direct.gov.uk/onlinerevive/public/landing-screen/">your online account</a> to:</p>

<ul>
  <li>report a <a href="/child-maintenance-service/change-of-circumstances">change in your circumstances</a>
</li>
  <li>report if the paying parent misses payments or does not pay enough</li>
  <li>request to change to Collect and Pay</li>
</ul>

<h3 id="if-you-do-not-want-to-contact-the-other-parent">If you do not want to contact the other parent</h3>

<p>If you do not want the other parent to know where you live, ask your bank to set up an account with a ‘non-geographic’ sort code. </p>

<p>You do not have to contact the paying parent to get payments. You can share your bank details in <a rel="external" href="https://childmaintenanceservice.direct.gov.uk/onlinerevive/public/landing-screen/">your online account</a>.</p>

<div role="note" aria-label="Information" class="application-notice info-notice">
  <p><a href="/guidance/domestic-abuse-how-to-get-help">Find out how to get help if you’re experiencing domestic abuse</a>.</p>
</div>

<h2 id="collect-and-pay">Collect and Pay</h2>

<p>The Child Maintenance Service can collect payments from the paying parent and pass them on to the receiving parent. They can take the payment directly from the paying parent’s:</p>

<ul>
  <li>earnings (arranged with their employer)</li>
  <li>bank account (by Direct Debit)</li>
  <li>benefits or pension</li>
</ul>

<p>You do not need to have any contact with the other parent.</p>

<h3 id="collection-fees">Collection fees</h3>

<p>You have to pay a fee each time you make or receive a regular child maintenance payment through the Child Maintenance Service. The fee is:</p>

<ul>
  <li>20% (which is added to the payment) for paying parents</li>
  <li>4% (which is taken off the payment) for receiving parents</li>
</ul>

<div role="note" aria-label="Information" class="application-notice info-notice">
  <p>If you use Collect and Pay, you cannot avoid collection fees by paying the other parent directly.</p>
</div>


Making and receiving payments

<p>Sign in to your Child Maintenance Service account to:</p>

<ul>
  <li>report a <a href="/child-maintenance-service/change-of-circumstances">change in your circumstances</a>
</li>
  <li>report that the paying parent has not paid in full or on time, if you get payments directly from them using Direct Pay</li>
  <li>report an extra payment on top of your existing payments</li>
  <li>report any <a href="/how-child-maintenance-is-worked-out/ask-other-income-expenses-included">expenses or income</a> that you want the Child Maintenance Service to consider</li>
  <li>view your payment plan</li>
  <li>report fraud or incorrect information</li>
</ul>

<p>You’ll need your:</p>

<ul>
  <li>12-digit reference number - you’ll find this on letters from the Child Maintenance Service</li>
  <li>National Insurance number - you’ll find this on benefit letters or payslips</li>
  <li>7-digit PIN number that you chose when setting up your case</li>
</ul>

<p>You cannot use this service to set up a new arrangement. Find out <a href="/child-maintenance-service/how-to-apply">how to apply</a> instead.</p>

<p><a class="gem-c-button govuk-button govuk-button--start" role="button" data-module="govuk-button" data-ga4-attributes='{"event_name":"navigation","type":"start button"}' draggable="false" href="https://childmaintenanceservice.direct.gov.uk/onlinerevive/public/landing-screen"><span> Sign in </span><svg class="govuk-button__start-icon govuk-!-display-none-print" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="17.5" height="19" viewbox="0 0 33 40" focusable="false" aria-hidden="true"><path fill="currentColor" d="M0 0h13l20 20-20 20H0l20-20z"></path></svg></a></p>

<h2 id="what-you-need-to-know">What you need to know</h2>

<p><a href="/child-maintenance-service/contact">Contact the Child Maintenance Service</a> if you need help using your online account.</p>


Sign in to your account

<p>If you or the other parent in your child maintenance case denies that they’re the child’s parent, the Child Maintenance Service can:</p>

<ul>
  <li>ask for evidence that proves one of you is not the parent</li>
  <li>tell the other parent what’s happened and ask for evidence to prove parentage</li>
</ul>

<p>If there’s no evidence to prove you’re not the parent, the Child Maintenance Service can:</p>

<ul>
  <li>ask you and the other parent to take a <a href="/dna-testing-parentage-disagreements">DNA test</a>
</li>
  <li>ask the courts to make a decision</li>
</ul>

<h2 id="when-the-child-maintenance-service-assumes-who-the-parent-is">When the Child Maintenance Service assumes who the parent is</h2>

<p>You’ll be assumed to be the child’s parent if any of the following apply:</p>

<ul>
  <li>you were married to, or the civil partner of, the child’s mother at any time between the conception and birth of the child (unless the child is adopted)</li>
  <li>you’re named on the child’s birth certificate (unless the child is adopted)</li>
  <li>a DNA test shows you’re the parent</li>
  <li>you legally adopted the child</li>
  <li>you’re named in a court order as the parent when the child was born to a surrogate mother</li>
</ul>

<h2 id="paying-child-maintenance-during-a-disagreement">Paying child maintenance during a disagreement</h2>

<h3 id="if-youre-assumed-to-be-the-parent">If you’re assumed to be the parent</h3>
<p>The Child Maintenance Service will work out a child maintenance amount. You’ll have to pay this if you do not have main day-to-day care of the child. If you prove you’re not the parent you’ll no longer have to pay.</p>

<h3 id="if-youre-not-assumed-to-be-the-parent">If you’re not assumed to be the parent</h3>
<p>You do not need to pay child maintenance until the disagreement has been sorted out. If you’re found to be the parent, the amount of child maintenance you have to pay will be back-dated to when the case was opened.</p>

<h2 id="if-you-prove-youre-not-the-parent">If you prove you’re not the parent</h2>

<p>When this happens, the Child Maintenance Service may:</p>

<ul>
  <li>refund the payments you’ve made since the date you denied you were the parent</li>
  <li>offset the amount you’ve paid in child maintenance against maintenance for another child you pay for</li>
  <li>refund the cost of any DNA tests arranged through the service</li>
  <li>ask the other parent to pay back any child maintenance to you</li>
</ul>


Disagreements about parentage

<p>There are some changes you must tell the Child Maintenance Service about by law. You should report the change as soon as it happens.</p>

<p>Either parent can report a change. The quickest way is to <a href="/child-maintenance-service/sign-in-account">report a change through your online account</a>.</p>

<p>If you cannot make a report online, you can <a href="/child-maintenance-service/contact">contact the Child Maintenance Service</a>.</p>

<p>Changes to your circumstances may mean a change to the amount of child maintenance you pay or receive. Find out how <a href="/how-child-maintenance-is-worked-out">child maintenance payments</a> are worked out.</p>

<h2 id="what-you-need-to-report">What you need to report</h2>

<p>Tell the Child Maintenance Service if:</p>

<ul>
  <li>you change who the child’s main carer is</li>
  <li>you change the agreement on how often the child stays overnight, either with the paying parent or a local authority, and this change to ‘shared care’ affects your <a href="/how-child-maintenance-is-worked-out">child maintenance payments</a>
</li>
  <li>you want to change how you <a href="/child-maintenance-service/payments">make and get payments</a> using Direct Pay or Collect and Pay</li>
  <li>you move house (give your new address within 7 days of moving)</li>
  <li>you change your bank details</li>
  <li>you change your phone number or email address</li>
  <li>you want someone else to deal with your case for you</li>
  <li>you add a child to your case</li>
  <li>the child is being adopted by someone else</li>
  <li>you want to close your case</li>
  <li>the child no longer lives in the UK</li>
  <li>someone on the case dies</li>
</ul>

<p>There are extra things that need to be reported about the paying parent. Either parent can tell the Child Maintenance Service if the paying parent:</p>

<ul>
  <li>misses a payment when using Direct Pay</li>
  <li>makes any voluntary payments on top of existing payments</li>
  <li>has an income change of 25% or more, or no longer has an income</li>
  <li>is spending more or less money in order to see the child, for example on transport costs</li>
</ul>

<h3 id="if-your-child-is-aged-16-to-19">If your child is aged 16 to 19</h3>

<p>You must <a href="/child-maintenance-service/when-child-maintenance-stops">report certain information about your child’s education</a> after they turn 16.</p>

<h2 id="if-you-do-not-give-the-right-information">If you do not give the right information</h2>

<p>You could be taken to court and fined up to £1,000 if you:</p>

<ul>
  <li>do not give the information you are asked for</li>
  <li>give information that you know is false</li>
</ul>

<p>This applies to any person or organisation who, by law, must give the Child Maintenance Service information, for example:</p>

<ul>
  <li>employers</li>
  <li>accountants</li>
  <li>either parent</li>
</ul>

<p>If you are the paying parent, you will not be taken to court or fined if you made a mistake when you reported your income. You must report the mistake by <a href="/child-maintenance-service/contact">contacting the Child Maintenance Service</a> as soon as possible so that you pay the right amount of child maintenance.</p>


Changes you need to report

<p>You can contact the Child Maintenance Service through your <a href="/child-maintenance-service/sign-in-account">online account</a>.</p>

<h2 id="call-the-child-maintenance-service">Call the Child Maintenance Service</h2>

<div class="contact">
<p>Child Maintenance Service <br>
Telephone: 0800 171 2345 <br>
Welsh language: 0800 232 1979 <br>
<a href="https://www.relayuk.bt.com/">Relay UK</a> (if you cannot hear or speak on the phone): 18001 then 0800 171 2345 <br>
British Sign Language (BSL) <a href="https://connect.interpreterslive.co.uk/vrs?ilc=DWP">video relay service</a> if you’re on a computer - find out how to <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oELNMfAvDxw">use the service on mobile or tablet</a><br>
Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm <br>
<a href="/call-charges">Find out about call charges</a></p>
</div>

<div role="note" aria-label="Information" class="application-notice info-notice">
  <p>There’s a different phone number if you live in <a rel="external" href="https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/contacts/child-maintenance-service">Northern Ireland</a>.</p>
</div>

<h2 id="contact-the-child-maintenance-service-by-post">Contact the Child Maintenance Service by post</h2>

<p>You can also write to the Child Maintenance Service.</p>

<div class="address"><div class="adr org fn"><p>
Child Maintenance Service (England, Scotland, Wales cases)<br>Child Maintenance Service 21<br>Mail Handling Site A<br>Wolverhampton<br>WV98 2BU
</p></div></div>

<div class="address"><div class="adr org fn"><p>
Child Maintenance Service (Northern Ireland cases)<br>Child Maintenance Service 24<br>Mail Handling Site A<br>Wolverhampton<br>WV98 2BU
</p></div></div>



Contact the Child Maintenance Service

<h2 id="make-a-complaint">Make a complaint</h2>

<p><a href="/government/organisations/department-for-work-pensions/about/complaints-procedure">Follow the Department for Work and Pensions (<abbr title="Department for Work and Pensions">DWP</abbr>) complaints procedure</a> if you’re unhappy with the service you’ve received.</p>

<h2 id="if-you-disagree-with-a-decision">If you disagree with a decision</h2>

<p>You can <a href="/mandatory-reconsideration">challenge a decision</a> about your payment amount. This is called asking for ‘mandatory reconsideration’. </p>

<p>You must ask for this within 30 days of the date on your decision letter.</p>

<h3 id="appeal-to-the-social-security-and-child-support-tribunal">Appeal to the Social Security and Child Support Tribunal</h3>

<p>If you’re unhappy with the outcome of the mandatory reconsideration, you can appeal to the Social Security and Child Support Tribunal within one month of getting the decision. If you submit your appeal after a month you’ll have to explain why you did not do it earlier.</p>

<p>Download and fill in <a href="/government/publications/appeal-a-child-maintenance-group-decision-by-the-dwp-form-sscs2">form SSCS2</a>. Send it to the address on the form.</p>

<p>You’ll need to choose whether you want to go to the tribunal hearing to explain your case. If you do not attend, your appeal will be decided on your appeal form and any supporting evidence.</p>

<p>After you submit your appeal, you can provide evidence. Your appeal and the evidence will be considered at the hearing by a judge and sometimes a financial expert. The tribunal will then make a decision.</p>

<p>It usually takes around 6 months for your appeal to be heard by the tribunal.</p>



Complaints and appeals

<p>You can make a private arrangement with your child’s other parent about how to cover your child’s living costs if both parents agree. No one else has to be involved. It’s flexible and can be changed if your circumstances change. For example, you could both agree that one parent:</p>

<ul>
  <li>pays some of their income to the parent with day to day care</li>
  <li>pays for things like housing, school uniform, trips or clubs</li>
</ul>

<p>If you cannot agree, or you feel at risk talking to the other parent, you might be able to <a href="/child-maintenance-service/how-to-apply">use the Child Maintenance Service</a>.</p>

<h2 id="working-out-payments">Working out payments</h2>

<p>It’s up to you to decide how much payments should be. You can <a href="/calculate-your-child-maintenance">use the child maintenance calculator</a> to help.</p>

<h2 id="get-help-to-make-an-arrangement">Get help to make an arrangement</h2>
<p>You can read guidance on:</p>

<ul>
  <li>
    <p><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/working-out-the-cost-of-raising-your-children">working out the cost of raising your children</a></p>
  </li>
  <li>
    <p><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/planning-your-child-maintenance-conversation">having a conversation about child maintenance</a></p>
  </li>
  <li>
    <p><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/your-child-maintenance-arrangement">recording your agreement</a></p>
  </li>
</ul>

<p>You can also <a rel="external" href="https://www.familymediationcouncil.org.uk/find-local-mediator/">search for a local mediator</a> to help you agree on an arrangement.</p>

<div role="note" aria-label="Information" class="application-notice info-notice">
  <p>If you need help with money as a paying parent or as a parent getting payments, <a href="/cost-of-living">find out what support you can get with the cost of living</a>.</p>
</div>


Make a private arrangement

<p>If you think that the other parent is providing incorrect information about their income or circumstances, you can report it to the Child Maintenance Service. </p>

<h2 id="when-you-can-report-a-paying-parent">When you can report a paying parent</h2>

<p>You can report if you think the paying parent, for example:</p>

<ul>
  <li>does not declare all their income to HM Revenue and Customs (<abbr title="His Majesty's Revenue and Customs">HMRC</abbr>)</li>
  <li>does not declare foreign income or foreign property they own</li>
  <li>hides income, for example by giving some to family members or a new partner</li>
  <li>is not paying enough through their earnings</li>
  <li>falsely claims to have financial responsibility for another child</li>
</ul>

<h2 id="when-you-can-report-a-receiving-parent">When you can report a receiving parent</h2>

<p>You can report the receiving parent if, for example, you think:</p>

<ul>
  <li>they’re claiming for a child who no longer qualifies for child maintenance</li>
  <li>they do not live with a child who qualifies for child maintenance</li>
</ul>

<h2 id="how-to-report">How to report</h2>

<p>To report someone, <a href="/child-maintenance-service/contact">contact the Child Maintenance Service</a>.</p>

<p>You’ll need to tell them:</p>

<ul>
  <li>your name</li>
  <li>your National Insurance number or child maintenance reference number</li>
  <li>the name of the person you’re reporting</li>
  <li>details of the fraud or incorrect information</li>
</ul>

<div role="note" aria-label="Information" class="application-notice info-notice">
  <p>You cannot make an anonymous report. However, you can ask the Child Maintenance Service not to share your location or personal information with the other parent.</p>
</div>

<h2 id="after-youve-made-a-report">After you’ve made a report</h2>

<p>Once you’ve submitted a report, the Child Maintenance Service will investigate.</p>

<p>If the other parent has committed fraud or provided incorrect information, your child maintenance will be recalculated. The amount can also be backdated so the other parent will pay back what they owe you.</p>



Reporting fraud or incorrect information

<p>Child maintenance stops on 31 August on or after your child’s 16th birthday if they leave education or training.</p>

<p>It can continue until your child turns 20 if they stay in approved education or training.</p>

<p>Child maintenance is linked to Child Benefit. This means you need to tell <abbr title="HM Revenue and Customs">HMRC</abbr> about changes to your child’s education or training, not the Child Maintenance Service.</p>

<p>You only need to <a href="/child-benefit-16-19">tell the <abbr title="HM Revenue and Customs">HMRC</abbr> Child Benefit service</a> if your child:</p>

<ul>
  <li>turns 16 and stays in approved education or training - so child maintenance and Child Benefit continue</li>
  <li>leaves approved education or training later, before they’re 20</li>
</ul>

<p>If they leave education or training later, child maintenance stops on the last day of February, May, August or November (whichever comes first).</p>

<div role="note" aria-label="Information" class="application-notice info-notice">
  <p>The paying parent may still need to make some payments after regular child maintenance payments stop, for example because they missed payments in the past.</p>
</div>

<h2 id="approved-education-and-training">Approved education and training</h2>

<p>Education must be full-time (more than an average of 12 hours a week of supervised study or course-related work experience). This can include:</p>

<ul>
  <li>A levels or similar, for example Pre-U, International Baccalaureate</li>
  <li>T Levels</li>
  <li>Scottish Highers</li>
  <li>NVQs and most vocational qualifications up to level 3 - excluding intermediate and advanced apprenticeships</li>
  <li>home education - if it started either before your child turned 16 or after 16 if they have <a href="/children-with-special-educational-needs">special educational needs and disabilities</a>
</li>
  <li>traineeships in England</li>
</ul>

<p>Your child must be accepted onto the course before they turn 19.</p>

<div role="note" aria-label="Information" class="application-notice info-notice">
  <p>Child Maintenance stops if your child starts studying an ‘advanced’ course, such as a university degree or BTEC Higher National Certificate, or if a course is paid for by an employer.</p>
</div>

<p>Approved training should be unpaid and can include:</p>

<ul>
  <li>in Wales: Foundation Apprenticeships, traineeships or the Jobs Growth Wales+ scheme</li>
  <li>in Scotland: the No One Left Behind programme</li>
  <li>in Northern Ireland: PEACE IV Children and Young People 2.1, Training for Success or Skills for Life and Work</li>
</ul>

<p>Courses that are part of a job contract are not approved.</p>



When child maintenance stops


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Requests	IP Address	Location	AS Autonomous System
15	146.75.120.144	Sweden	AS54113
15	1	-	-

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