Child maintenance and financial support for children
Child maintenance and financial support for children
Child maintenance is regular financial support towards a child's everyday living costs, paid by the parent who does not have main day-to-day care to the parent who does. Many separating parents arrange this privately; others use the government's Child Maintenance Service.
Working out an arrangement
Some parents agree a private, family-based arrangement between themselves, which can be simpler and more flexible. If that is not possible, the Child Maintenance Service (CMS) can calculate an amount and, if needed, arrange collection and enforcement.
Get help arranging child maintenance a free online tool to help you decide between a family-based arrangement and a formal CMS case, and to get a reference number if you want to proceed.
Child Maintenance Calculator — a free tool giving an estimate of what maintenance might be payable, based on income and how care is shared. This is an estimate only, not a guarantee.
Child Maintenance Service
Freephone: 0800 171 2345
Hours: Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm
For existing Child Maintenance Service cases. A Welsh language line and Relay UK service are also available; see GOV.UK for details.
child-maintenance.service.gov.uk
Other financial support
Turn2us
A free benefits calculator and grants search tool, useful if separation has changed your household income and you want to check what you may be entitled to.
Related pages
For help with existing debt, see our Debt and money worries page. For guidance on dividing property, pensions and other assets, see our Dividing finances and assets page.
If you'd like to talk any of this through, contact us on 01603 620588, or ask your mediator.