New Child Maintenance Service opens to all new applicants

The new Child Maintenance Service for separated parents to support their children has opened to all new applicants.

Over the last year the government has been gradually rolling out the new Child Maintenance Service, starting with the largest families first. It will eventually replace the Child Support Agency (CSA).

The government is reforming child support services so that separated parents are supported in coming to their own child maintenance arrangements, which it says is in the best interest of the children.

As part of these reforms, all separated parents applying for help with maintenance payments will first be given free information and support by Child Maintenance Options. This service is estimated to have already helped 150,000 children to benefit from family-based arrangements.

The new Child Maintenance Service will act as backstop for parents who cannot work things out between themselves, and will provide a faster, more efficient service than the current CSA schemes.

The government is investing up to £20 million in better co-ordinated support for separated parents to work together, including coming to their own child maintenance arrangements, instead of turning to family courts or statutory services.

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