What Does Child Maintenance Cover (and What Doesn't It Cover)?

What is child maintenance for?

Child maintenance is a regular financial contribution from the non-resident parent to help cover the general costs of raising a child. It is intended to contribute towards the child's everyday needs, not to cover every expense in full.

What does child maintenance generally cover?

The CMS does not specify exactly what maintenance must be spent on. The money goes to the receiving parent and is theirs to use as they see fit for the child's welfare. In practice, maintenance is expected to contribute towards:

• Food and groceries
• Clothing and shoes
• Housing costs (a contribution towards rent or mortgage)
• Household bills - utilities, broadband, etc.
• General day-to-day childcare costs

Does child maintenance cover school uniform?

There is no legal requirement for the paying parent to contribute to school uniform costs on top of their maintenance. However, many parents agree informally to share these costs. If you want this to be formalised, it can be included in a private agreement.

Does child maintenance cover school trips?

Not automatically. School trip costs are not covered by the standard CMS maintenance payment. As with uniforms, parents can agree privately to share these expenses.

Does child maintenance cover childcare or nursery fees?

No. Childcare and nursery fees are separate costs and are not included in the standard CMS calculation. The CMS payment is a contribution towards general living costs, not specific large-item expenses like nursery fees, which can run into hundreds of pounds per month.

If you need help with childcare costs, look at the Tax-Free Childcare scheme and Universal Credit childcare element - these are government schemes that can significantly reduce your childcare bills.

What does child maintenance not cover?

• School fees (private school)
• Nursery or childcare fees
• School trips and extracurricular activities
• Holidays
• Medical costs beyond NHS
• University fees

These can be negotiated privately between parents and included in a private agreement, but the CMS will not enforce them separately.