Opting out of the Statutory Maintenance Service
There are lots of different ways you can arrange to pay or receive child maintenance. In fact, if both parents can come to an agreement, you don't have to involve lawyers or even go through us. You may want to speak to us, a family-law solicitor or an independent adviser before setting up a private arrangement.. You can find out more about your options from the Information and Support Service.What happens if a parent with care is getting benefits and does not want to apply for child maintenance?
From 14 July 2008 legislation will change and new claimants to benefit will not be compelled to use the Statutory Maintenance Service. However, if you are the parent with care and receiving Income Support or Income-Based Jobseeker's Allowance and have an existing child maintenance case you will be required to continue to use the Statutory Maintenance Service until such times as legislation allows you to withdraw your case.
If you are in receipt of benefits and have a case that is currently being progressed by the Statutory Maintenance Service but you believe that continuing an application for child maintenance would put you or your children at risk of harm or distress, you can ask us not to contact the non-resident parent.
To find out more about the circumstances in which benefits would be reduced talk to your Social Security Officer.
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