Client is a liable parent

A liable parent pays Child Support to help with the cost of raising children when they are not providing the ongoing daily care.

When Child Support is arranged through a formula assessment or a voluntary agreement, the liable parent pays Child Support to Inland Revenue and this is passed on to the receiving carer. However, if the receiving carer is getting Unsupported Child's Benefit for the child, the Child Support is used to help pay for the carer's benefit.

Clients that are a liable parent, and have Child Support arranged through Inland Revenue, have their Child Support payments deducted from their benefit. Liable parents may be able to include their Child Support payments as an allowable cost in Temporary Additional Support or Special Benefit if they qualify for these payments, and the Child Support is a formula-assessed amount.

When there is a private arrangement in place, Child Support payments are paid directly from the paying parent to the carer.