Website of the UK government

What are the options?

There are two main options for arranging maintenance:

• the Child Support Agency (CSA) is the statutory maintenance service. The CSA can calculate and collect maintenance for you
• the other option is to make a private agreement with the other parent.

If you are an existing CSA client and you started claiming benefits through Jobcentre Plus (JCP) before 14 July 2008, you currently have to keep your arrangement with the CSA. But from October 2008 you will have the choice of keeping your arrangement with the CSA or opting out of your CSA arrangement and making a private agreement with the other parent.

• Child Support Agency Opens new window

Understanding more about the options

If you’d like to find out more about your options for arranging maintenance, Child Maintenance Options is a new service set up to provide impartial information and support to help both parents make an informed choice. The service is free and can also provide information about issues that parents commonly face when separating or living apart from the other parent.

• Child Maintenance Options Opens new window

More useful links

• Child Maintenance Options Opens new window
• Getting Child Maintenance from a parent overseas (REMO) Opens new window
• Expecting or bringing up children - benefits information
• Home Responsibilities Protection - State Pension help for carers/parents
• Child Trust Fund - saving your child's money
• Benefits and help for parents going back to work (parents section)
• Financial reasons to make a will