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Payment methods

For all cases where child maintenance is arranged through us, parents can either agree that:

  • the non-resident parent will pay the parent with care direct, or
  • the non-resident parent makes their payments through us.

If payments are made through us, the non-resident parent can pay by;

  • direct debit (which is a quick and convenient way of making a payment) or
  • directly from their income with a Deduction from Earnings Order

If you are a non-resident parent who wants to pay by direct debit, you will need to fill in some forms, which we can send to you.

When we get the payment from the non-resident parent, we will pay the amount that is due to the parent with care. We will transfer this amount into the parent with care's bank, building society or Post Office account.

If parents agree to make their own arrangements for paying child maintenance they can choose how the non-resident parent will pay the child maintenance. The quickest and easiest way is for the non-resident parent to set up a standing order to pay the child maintenance from their bank, building society or Post Office account, direct into the parent with care's account.

If one or both parents don't have an account and can't open one to pay or receive child maintenance they can contact us to discuss this.

Clearing Debt

A non-resident parent can clear any outstanding debt using a credit or debit card or they can make a payment through their bank. They can find a number to call or address to write to in the top right-hand corner of the last letter we sent them. They should have their reference number ready when they call.

What happens if a non-resident parent wants to pay direct from their earnings?

Paying child maintenance direct from earnings is easy and can help a non-resident parent to manage their finances. This is because the child maintenance is taken from their earnings before they receive them. So whatever a non-resident parent gets as take-home pay, they don't have to pay child maintenance from it.

Read more Deduction from Earnings Orders in our leaflet "How do I pay child maintenance" [241Kb]

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