👨👩👧 Family RightsChild Maintenance and Support Payments Rights in the UK — What Parents Need to Know
Learn your rights and responsibilities for child maintenance in the UK. Understand how payments work, how to arrange them, and what to do if issues arise.
Last verified: April 2026
If you're a parent in the UK who doesn't live with your child, you may have a legal responsibility to contribute to their upbringing through child maintenance payments. These payments help cover essentials like food, clothing, and education. Whether you're paying or receiving, knowing your rights ensures your child gets the support they need.
⚖️ Your Key Rights
- ✓You have the right to request child maintenance if you are the parent or main carer of a child under 16 (or under 20 if they are in full-time education).
- ✓You have the right to receive child maintenance payments if you are the primary carer of the child and the other parent does not live with you.
- ✓You have the right to challenge a child maintenance calculation if you believe it is incorrect or unfair.
- ✓You have the right to request a variation in child maintenance payments if your financial circumstances change significantly.
- ✓You have the right to apply for enforcement action if the paying parent fails to make payments without a valid reason.
- ✓You have the right to request a review of your child maintenance arrangement if your child’s needs change.
- ✓You have the right to access free government support and guidance to help arrange child maintenance.
📋 Common Situations Explained
You are the paying parent and your income has dropped
If you lose your job or your income decreases, you can apply to the Child Maintenance Service (CMS) for a reassessment of your payments. You must provide evidence of your new financial situation to avoid overpaying.
You are the receiving parent and payments are late or missing
If the paying parent stops making payments, you can report this to the CMS. They can take enforcement action, such as deducting payments directly from the paying parent’s wages or benefits.
You and the other parent agree on payments without the CMS
You can make a family-based arrangement, where you agree on payments privately. While this is flexible, it is not legally enforceable, so it’s wise to have a written agreement in case of future disputes.
Your child has additional needs that require extra support
If your child has a disability or special educational needs, you can request a variation in child maintenance payments to cover these extra costs. The CMS will consider these needs when calculating payments.
You are a non-parent carer, such as a grandparent, looking after a child
If you are not the parent but are the main carer of a child, you may still be able to apply for child maintenance from the child’s parents. You should contact the CMS to discuss your eligibility.
🚀 What To Do
- 1Check if you are eligible for child maintenance by using the government’s online calculator or contacting the Child Maintenance Service (CMS).
- 2Gather financial information, including your income, benefits, and any expenses related to the child’s care.
- 3Decide whether to arrange payments privately (family-based arrangement) or through the CMS. The CMS can help if you cannot agree with the other parent.
- 4If using the CMS, submit an application online or by phone. Provide details about both parents’ incomes and the child’s living arrangements.
- 5If payments are not being made, report the issue to the CMS. They can enforce payments through deductions from wages, benefits, or court action.
- 6Review your arrangement regularly, especially if your financial situation or the child’s needs change.
👨⚖️ When to Get a Lawyer
If you are facing complex disputes over child custody, high-value assets, or if the other parent is refusing to cooperate with the CMS, it may be worth seeking legal advice from a family law solicitor.
🔗 Official Resources
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