Overview
Child maintenance is regular financial support that helps cover a child’s everyday living costs when parents live apart. It applies until a child turns 16, or up to 20 if they remain in approved education or training. Child maintenance can be arranged privately between parents or through the Child Maintenance Service (CMS).
Important: Child maintenance payments do not affect benefits such as Universal Credit and they are not taxable.
The Council does not arrange child maintenance and cannot advise on individual cases. This page signposts trusted, official sources to help you understand what child maintenance is, and to help you evaluate your options.