In family law and public policy, child support is an ongoing, periodic payment made by a parent for the financial benefit of a child following the end of a marriage or other relationship.

What is child maintenance used for?

Child maintenance is money to help pay for your child's living costs. It's paid by the parent who doesn't usually live with the child to the person who has most day-to-day care of the child. It's also called 'child support'.

What are child maintenance payments meant to cover?

Child maintenance covers the cost of the everyday care of the child, such as food, clothes and housing. Expenses such as school fees do not fall under child maintenance – parents who are getting a divorce can make a “Family Based Arrangement” to deal with costs like this.