This section tells you how the CSA can set up a child maintenance arrangement for you. You can read about how we calculate and collect child maintenance payments.
If a parent asks us to set up a child maintenance arrangement, we will gather information from both parents and use this to work out how much child maintenance should be paid.
We can then collect child maintenance payments from the non-resident parent, if you would like us to, and pass them on to the parent with care. If payments are not made on time, we can take action to collect the correct amount of child maintenance.
You can find out more information about the rules we use on how maintenance is calculated. There is also a child maintenance calculator that helps you work out how much maintenance you might pay or receive through our current scheme.
There are various ways how child maintenance can be paid. This section also includes information on what happens if one parent lives abroad.
You can also read about the different ways of applying and the information you need to have ready before you apply to the CSA.
Related information
- Read our leaflet
"How is child maintenance worked out?" [PDF 780Kb]
