The Child Maintenance Service uses the paying parent's relevant gross weekly income, the number of qualifying children and other applicable circumstances to calculate maintenance. Standard rates range from Nil and Flat amounts to percentage-based payments. This guide explains the general 2026 CMS rate structure.
What Are Child Maintenance Rates in the UK?
Child maintenance is financial support paid towards the everyday costs of bringing up a child when parents live separately. Parents can arrange maintenance privately or through the Child Maintenance Service (CMS).
When CMS calculates an amount, it normally considers the paying parent's relevant gross income and applies the appropriate maintenance rate.
The percentage or amount can change according to the number of qualifying children, eligible pension contributions, other children supported and overnight shared care.
Although maintenance can be collected or paid at different intervals, the CMS calculation starts with a weekly amount.
These rules are explained in official guidance for England, Scotland and Wales. Northern Ireland has its own CMS administration.
Important: This website provides general information and independent estimates. Only the relevant CMS can issue an official maintenance assessment.
Child Maintenance Rates Table 2026
The table below explains the main CMS rate bands based on relevant gross weekly income.
| Gross Weekly Income | Rate | General Calculation |
|---|---|---|
| Below £7 | Nil | £0 per week |
| £7–£100 | Flat | Generally £7 per week |
| £100.01–£199.99 | Reduced | £7 plus a percentage of income above £100 |
| £200–£800 | Basic | 12%, 16% or 19% |
| £800.01–£3,000 | Basic Plus | Two percentage bands |
A Flat rate may also apply when the paying parent receives certain qualifying benefits, subject to the applicable rules.
If the CMS cannot obtain suitable income information, it may instead use a Default rate.
The standard CMS calculation generally considers a maximum of £3,000 gross weekly income. A receiving parent may be able to apply to a court for additional maintenance in qualifying circumstances.
Basic Child Maintenance Rate
The Basic rate generally applies where the paying parent's relevant gross weekly income is between £200 and £800.
The percentage depends on the total number of qualifying children covered by the calculation.
Example: Two Children
Gross weekly income: £600
Children needing maintenance: 2
Applicable Basic rate: 16%
£600 × 16% = £96
This example assumes no additional pension adjustment, other supported children or shared-care reduction.
Learn About Maintenance for Two Children →Basic Plus Child Maintenance Rate
Basic Plus applies where relevant gross weekly income exceeds £800 and is up to £3,000.
It uses a percentage on the first £800 and a lower percentage on additional income.
| Children | First £800 | Income Above £800 |
|---|---|---|
| 1 child | 12% | 9% |
| 2 children | 16% | 12% |
| 3 or more | 19% | 15% |
Example: £1,000 Weekly Income
Qualifying children: 2
First £800 × 16% = £128
Remaining £200 × 12% = £24
Total = £128 + £24
The calculation must use the correct income after applicable CMS adjustments.
Reduced Child Maintenance Rate
The Reduced rate generally applies when relevant gross weekly income is above £100 but below £200.
For straightforward cases, the calculation begins with £7 for the first £100 of weekly income. An additional percentage applies to income above £100.
| Children | Base Amount | Rate Above £100 |
|---|---|---|
| 1 child | £7 | 17% |
| 2 children | £7 | 25% |
| 3 or more | £7 | 31% |
Example: One Child, £150 Per Week
Income above £100: £50
£50 × 17% = £8.50
£7 + £8.50 = £15.50
Reduced Rates with Other Supported Children
Where the paying parent has other eligible children they support, different Reduced-rate percentages apply. These percentages are applied to the relevant income above £100.
| Maintenance Children | 1 Other Child | 2 Other Children | 3+ Other Children |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 child | 14.1% | 13.2% | 12.4% |
| 2 children | 21.2% | 19.9% | 18.9% |
| 3 or more | 26.4% | 24.9% | 23.8% |
These are distinct from the 11%, 14% and 16% income adjustments generally used for eligible other supported children in Basic or Basic Plus cases.
Flat and Nil Child Maintenance Rates
Flat Rate — £7 Per Week
The general Flat rate is £7 per week when gross weekly income falls between £7 and £100.
Certain qualifying benefits can also result in a Flat-rate assessment.
Shared-care treatment for Flat-rate cases depends on the paying parent's circumstances, including whether qualifying benefits are involved.
Nil Rate — £0 Per Week
A Nil rate can apply where gross weekly income is below £7, as well as in certain circumstances specified by the CMS.
A person should not assume that having no employment income automatically means a Nil-rate assessment applies.
Default Child Maintenance Rates
If the CMS cannot obtain suitable income information, a Default maintenance rate may apply.
| Children | Default Weekly Amount |
|---|---|
| 1 child | £38 |
| 2 children | £51 |
| 3 or more children | £64 |
Default amounts are not a normal substitute for providing accurate income information.
How Income Affects Child Maintenance
The CMS generally starts with the paying parent's taxable gross annual income, including relevant employment, self-employment or pension income.
It may use HMRC information and apply relevant adjustments before determining gross weekly income.
Some eligible pension contributions and other permitted adjustments can affect the income figure used in the assessment.
Where self-employed income or other income sources require additional verification, official CMS rules may be more complex than a simplified online calculator.
Learn About Gross and Net Income →Child Maintenance Rates and Other Children
The CMS can take account of certain other children supported by the paying parent.
For eligible Basic and Basic Plus cases, the income used for calculation may be reduced by the following percentages.
| Other Supported Children | Income Reduction |
|---|---|
| 1 child | 11% |
| 2 children | 14% |
| 3 or more children | 16% |
Income Adjustment Example
Gross weekly income: £600
Other eligible supported children: 1
£600 × 11% = £66
£600 − £66 = £534
This is an illustrative income adjustment, not the final maintenance payment. Eligibility and the applicable rate must be considered.
Child Maintenance Payment Examples
The following examples show straightforward weekly Basic-rate calculations.
They assume no additional pension adjustment, other supported children or shared-care reduction.
Example 1 — One Child
Gross weekly income: £400
Basic percentage: 12%
£400 × 12% = £48
Example 2 — Two Children
Gross weekly income: £500
Basic percentage: 16%
£500 × 16% = £80
Example 3 — Three Children
Gross weekly income: £700
Basic percentage: 19%
£700 × 19% = £133
These are illustrative totals before shared care. The final CMS assessment may differ according to the evidence and circumstances.
Calculate an Estimate for Your Situation →Are Calculator Results the Same as CMS Payments?
Not necessarily. An independent calculator can provide a useful estimate, but it cannot access a person's official CMS case records or HMRC information.
The CMS may consider income evidence, permitted variations, multiple family arrangements and special statutory rules.
A parent should not stop or change a legally required maintenance payment based solely on an independent estimate.
Primary sources: GOV.UK CMS Calculation Overview and Official Detailed Calculation Guide .
Northern Ireland enquiries may require contacting its separately administered Child Maintenance Service.
Read our Calculation Methodology for information about the formulas and limitations of our website's calculator.