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How child maintenance can be paid

If child maintenance payments are made through the Child Support Agency (CSA), the non-resident parent can pay:

• using Maintenance Direct
• by direct debit
• directly from their earnings (through a deduction from earnings order)

The non-resident parent is the parent who the child does not normally live with.

Paying child maintenance directly through Maintenance Direct

Once the CSA has worked out a child maintenance amount, if parents agree, they can make their own arrangements for paying and receiving child maintenance. This is called Maintenance Direct.

With Maintenance Direct the quickest and easiest way to pay is by standing order. Payments go:

• from the non-resident parent’s bank, building society or Post Office account
• directly into the parent with care’s account

The parent or person with care is the parent or carer who the child normally lives with.

If you or the other parent don't have a bank, building society or Post Office account and can't open one, tell the CSA.

Keep a record of the payments made or received. This is in case there are any problems in the future.

The CSA may be able to get involved if payments are missed. You should report any missed payments straight away. You can also ask the CSA to start collecting and passing on payments if you want to.

Direct Debit and deduction from earnings orders

If the CSA collect and pass on payments, they will arrange a method of payment with the non-resident parent.

This is usually one of the following:

• by direct debit - where payments are taken straight out of their bank or building society account
• through a deduction from earnings order - where child maintenance is taken directly from their earnings

This can help non-resident parents to:

• keep a record of payments made
• stop debts from building up
• manage their finances more easily

How often payments should be made

When payments are made usually depends on when the non-resident parent is paid their wages, pension or benefits.

For example, child maintenance can be paid:

• every week
• every fortnight
• every four weeks
• every month

Collection Schedules and Payment Schedules

If you are the non-resident parent, the CSA will send you a Collection Schedule, which tells you:

• how much child maintenance you need to pay
• when you need to make payments

If you are the parent with care, the CSA will send you a Payment Schedule, which tells you:

• how much child maintenance is due
• on what day child maintenance will be collected from the non-resident parent (or their employer)

For more information about paying child maintenance through the CSA, download the following leaflet.

• Download 'How do I pay child maintenance' (PDF, 285K) Opens new window

• Help with PDF files

For more information about receiving child maintenance through the CSA, download the following leaflet.

• Download 'How will I receive child maintenance' (PDF, 220K) Opens new window

• Help with PDF files

If you're worried about missing your payments

You should contact the CSA immediately if you are a non-resident parent and you are:

• having problems paying
• going to miss a payment

If you are struggling financially, think about:

• checking that the CSA have the correct information about your circumstances
• asking for help with managing your finances

For advice and support on dealing with debt, use the following link.

• Where to get advice and support on debt (money, tax and benefits support)

You can also get help with managing your finances on the Child Maintenance Options website.

• Child Maintenance Options Opens new window

Paying off child maintenance debt

Non-resident parents who have avoided or missed paying child maintenance will normally be asked to pay the full amount they owe straight away:

• using a credit card or debit card
• through their bank

In some circumstances a non-resident parent may be allowed to pay in instalments.

If child maintenance still isn’t paid, it may lead to:

• child maintenance debts building up to un-manageable amounts
• other costs (for example, legal costs)
• money being taken directly from a bank account
• other appropriate CSA action to get any money owed

You can get more information about what the CSA does about non-payment using the following link.

• How the CSA deals with non-payment

More useful links

• Download 'How will I receive child maintenance?' (PDF, 220K) Opens new window

• Download 'How do I pay child maintenance?' (PDF, 285K) Opens new window

• Download 'Paying child maintenance direct from your earnings' (PDF, 470K) Opens new window

• Help with PDF files