What is child maintenance?
Child maintenance is regular financial support paid to the parent with the main day-to-day care of the child by the child's other parent.
From 25 November 2013, the Child Support Agency (CSA) no longer takes on new cases but still handles existing cases.
For CSA cases set up since 2003
Contact your local CSA office if you have a query about an existing case opened since March 2003. You can search for your local office on the child support agency website if you don’t know which one you should contact.
You’ll need your National Insurance number and date of birth.
CSA cases set up from 1993 to 2003
Use the online form on the CSA website or call the CSA helpline if you opened a child maintenance case before March 2003.
CSA helpline
Telephone: 0845 713 3133
Monday to Friday - 8am to 8pm
Saturdays - 9am to 5pm
How can you make a child maintenance agreement?
Child maintenance agreements can be made with the help of the child maintenance service (CMS). This will be a legally enforceable agreement. Alternatively, parents can make a private agreement without involving the CMS. Since October 2008 all parents, including those claiming benefits, can choose to make their child maintenance arrangements this way. Private child maintenance arrangements can be made with the help of solicitors, if the parents choose, and can be made legally binding by the courts if the parents apply.
The child maintenance options service
For impartial information and advice about setting up your own private child maintenance agreement you can contact the child maintenance options service on 0800 988 0988. It is open Monday to Friday 8am to 8pm and Saturday 9am to 4pm. The Child Maintenance options website includes a maintenance calculator and a private agreement form.
What if you cannot come to a private agreement?
Parents who are unable to come to an agreement privately can still use the child maintenance service to help them make a suitable arrangement.
You can get more information online at the Gov.uk website.