Child Maintenance Service

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Making and receiving payments

Payments can be arranged:

If you use the Child Maintenance Service, they will work out your child maintenance amount based on the paying parent’s circumstances.

There are 2 ways to manage payments through the Child Maintenance Service:

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

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

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.

If you need help with money as a paying parent or as a parent getting payments, find out what support you can get with the cost of living.

Your payment plan

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

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:

  • how much you need to pay and when, if you’re the paying parent
  • how much you’ll receive and when, if you’re the receiving parent

You can also view your payment plan in your online account. 

The first payment is usually made within 12 weeks of applying.

If you make or receive extra payments, you must tell the Child Maintenance Service.

If you think your child maintenance amount is wrong

Contact the Child Maintenance Service if:

  • you want them to look at the decision again - this is called a ‘mandatory reconsideration’ and you must ask for it within one month of the decision
  • the paying parent has other income or expenses that you want them to take into account - this is called asking for a variation

You can also ask for a variation through your online account.

If a parent does not pay in full or on time

Find out what to do if:

Direct Pay

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

Keep a record of payments. If you report a missed payment you’ll need to provide a copy of your bank statement.

Report changes or missed payments

Sign in to your online account to:

  • report a change in your circumstances
  • report if the paying parent misses payments or does not pay enough
  • request to change to Collect and Pay

If you do not want to contact the other parent

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. 

You do not have to contact the paying parent to get payments. You can share your bank details in your online account.

Find out how to get help if you’re experiencing domestic abuse.

Collect and Pay

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:

  • earnings (arranged with their employer)
  • bank account (by Direct Debit)
  • benefits or pension

You do not need to have any contact with the other parent.

Collection fees

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:

  • 20% (which is added to the payment) for paying parents
  • 4% (which is taken off the payment) for receiving parents

If you use Collect and Pay, you cannot avoid collection fees by paying the other parent directly.

View a printable version of the whole guide

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