Change in receiving carer's circumstances

Changes to a receiving carer's circumstances can affect the Child Support they get, or their Child Support obligations when they are getting Unsupported Child's Benefit.

Receiving carers getting Child Support through a formula assessment should contact Inland Revenue about changes to their situation, as changes may affect the amount of their assessed Child Support.

Carers applying for or transferring to an Unsupported Child's Benefit for a child may need to apply for a formula assessment of Child Support. If they are getting Child Support for that child, they may no longer get these payments directly.

There may be situations when a carer continues looking after a child but is no longer getting Unsupported Child's Benefit for them, e.g. they qualify for a main benefit and decide to include the child in their main benefit instead of getting Unsupported Child's Benefit. These carers may be able to get Child Support payments directly.

These carers should be advised to contact Inland Revenue about changes to their personal circumstances, which may affect their Child Support payments