Under the ordinary UK Child Maintenance Service rules, payments can continue for a child under 16 or for a young person under 20 who remains in approved education or training. Maintenance stops when eligibility ends, with applicable course-completion and terminal-date rules. It stops after the child's 20th birthday at the latest under the ordinary age rules. Earlier unpaid maintenance may still be recoverable.
When Do Child Maintenance Payments End?
The Child Maintenance Service (CMS) provides a statutory way for separated parents to arrange financial support for eligible children. Maintenance does not end automatically when a child turns 16 or 18.
Instead, CMS considers the young person's age, education or training, Child Benefit status and other relevant circumstances. The rules are designed to allow maintenance to continue while a qualifying young person remains in non-advanced education or approved training.
For example, a child who turns 18 while studying A levels may still qualify. By contrast, a young person who starts a university degree ordinarily ceases to qualify for standard CMS maintenance.
While your child remains eligible, you can use our UK Child Maintenance Calculator homepage to explore how payments are calculated, or open the free child maintenance calculator for a supported estimate.
Important: The end of ongoing maintenance is different from clearing unpaid maintenance. An arrears balance may remain payable after a child's eligibility ends.
Child Maintenance Age Limits: 16, 18 and 20
The following table explains the general age-related rules for ordinary CMS cases.
| Child's Age | General Position | What to Check |
|---|---|---|
| Under 16 | Normally eligible | Usual CMS eligibility conditions |
| 16 | May continue | Whether approved education or training continues |
| 17 | May continue | Qualifying education, training and other circumstances |
| 18 | May continue | Whether the course is non-advanced and eligible |
| 19 | May continue | Course eligibility and acceptance before age 19 |
| 20 | Stops | Payments stop after the 20th birthday |
These are general age rules. Course completion, starting advanced education, qualifying employment or other changes can affect the exact date maintenance ends.
A young person who is 18 may still qualify for CMS maintenance, but a 17-year-old who has left qualifying education or training may not remain eligible indefinitely.
Does Child Maintenance Stop at 16?
No, not automatically. Sixteen is an important age because the rules for continuing Child Benefit and maintenance depend on the young person's education or training.
If a young person continues in full-time non-advanced education, such as A levels, GCSEs or another qualifying course, child maintenance can continue beyond 16.
The person claiming Child Benefit should inform HMRC when the young person continues eligible education or training.
What If the Child Leaves School at 16?
Maintenance may continue for a limited period under the applicable terminal-date rules, even where a child has left eligible education. A separate Child Benefit extension may be available in particular circumstances.
However, starting paid work, receiving certain benefits in their own right or another eligibility change can affect the position.
Practical tip: If the child remains in qualifying education after GCSEs or National 5s, confirm their plans with HMRC rather than assuming the payments will continue automatically.
Does Child Maintenance Stop at 18?
No. Turning 18 does not automatically end an ordinary CMS maintenance assessment. Eligibility can continue while the young person remains under 20 and meets the relevant education or training conditions.
Example: An 18-Year-Old Studying A Levels
Qualifying Further Education
Young person's age: 18
Course: Full-time A levels
Course level: Non-advanced education
Other eligibility conditions assumed to be met
This is different from a young person who has started a university degree, as a university degree is generally classified as advanced education.
Does Child Maintenance Stop Automatically at 20?
Under the ordinary CMS rules, a young person cannot remain a qualifying child after turning 20. GOV.UK explains that payments stop after the 20th birthday.
This is the normal upper age limit even where the young person is still attending an otherwise eligible course.
The end of maintenance for one child does not necessarily end the whole CMS case if other qualifying children remain.
An obligation for future payments may end when the child turns 20, but overdue maintenance from earlier periods may still be recoverable.
Which Education Courses Qualify for Child Maintenance?
Qualifying education normally means full-time non-advanced education. GOV.UK defines full-time education for these purposes as more than an average of 12 hours each week of supervised study or course-related work experience.
There are exceptions to the hourly requirement for some young people affected by illness or disability.
Examples of Qualifying Education
| Course or Study Type | General Position |
|---|---|
| A levels and similar qualifications | Generally eligible if other conditions are met |
| T Levels | Generally eligible |
| GCSEs | Generally eligible |
| Scottish Highers | Generally eligible |
| Most vocational courses up to Level 3 | May qualify; apprenticeship exclusions apply |
| Eligible home education | May qualify subject to specific conditions |
| University degree | Not qualifying non-advanced education |
| BTEC Higher National Certificate | Not qualifying non-advanced education |
Does Starting a Course After 19 Qualify?
Under the general rules, the young person must have been accepted onto the eligible course before turning 19. The exact circumstances and course history may matter.
Parents should confirm eligibility with the relevant government service rather than relying only on the college's description of the course.
Does Child Maintenance Stop When a Child Goes to University?
Ordinary CMS maintenance generally stops when a child starts advanced education, including a university degree. University education is not treated as approved non-advanced education for these purposes.
The rules can also exclude qualifications such as Higher National Certificates, Higher National Diplomas and certain higher education foundation courses.
What If the Child Is Only 17 or 18?
The education level matters as well as age. Even if the child is under 20, starting an advanced course can end ordinary CMS eligibility.
Can Parents Agree to Support a University Student?
Yes. Parents can agree financial support privately. In certain circumstances, separate court-based provisions may also be relevant. Those arrangements are not the same as an ordinary CMS assessment.
Important: A private commitment to help with university costs may continue even after statutory CMS eligibility ends. Review the terms of any applicable agreement or court order.
Does Child Maintenance Stop When a Child Starts an Apprenticeship?
A paid apprenticeship normally does not qualify as approved training for continuing Child Benefit or ordinary CMS maintenance.
GOV.UK distinguishes approved unpaid training from employment-based courses and training forming part of a job contract.
Usually not qualifying approved training, because it forms part of paid employment or a job contract.
Certain qualifying government training programmes may allow maintenance to continue, subject to the other eligibility rules.
Examples of Approved Training
Government guidance includes certain unpaid training programmes in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Eligibility depends on the exact programme and whether the young person is employed under a contract.
A programme being described as training does not automatically make it eligible for maintenance.
If the young person starts an apprenticeship, tell the appropriate authorities. Whether maintenance ends depends on the applicable rules and effective date.
When Does Maintenance Stop After a Course Finishes?
Maintenance and Child Benefit may continue for a limited period after qualifying education finishes, under the statutory terminal-date rules.
GOV.UK identifies four relevant dates during the year, with the next applicable date following completion of the qualifying course generally determining when payments stop.
| Relevant Terminal Date | General Description |
|---|---|
| Last day of February | One statutory terminal point |
| 31 May | One statutory terminal point |
| 31 August | Common end-of-school-year point |
| 30 November | One statutory terminal point |
Example: A Course Finishes in June
Illustrative Course Completion
Course finishes: June
Next standard terminal date: 31 August
Young person remains under 20
No disqualifying change is assumed
This is an illustrative example, not a case-specific end-date decision. Leaving a course early, beginning paid work or receiving certain benefits may change eligibility.
The end date may also be limited by the child's 20th birthday.
How Is Child Maintenance Linked to Child Benefit?
Child Benefit eligibility is important to the statutory definition of a qualifying young person. Parents should keep HMRC informed about education and training after age 16.
What Happens After GCSEs or National 5s?
HMRC normally asks the Child Benefit claimant to confirm whether the young person will stay in qualifying education or training.
Child Benefit may stop on 31 August on or after the child's 16th birthday if eligible continuation is not confirmed.
Who Must Tell HMRC?
Only the person claiming Child Benefit can report the young person's education or training plans to HMRC.
What About a Child Benefit Extension?
A separate extension of up to 20 weeks may be available for some 16- or 17-year-olds who leave education or training and register with a qualifying careers service or the armed services.
This extension has its own conditions, including work and benefit restrictions. It should not be assumed to apply automatically to every maintenance case.
GOV.UK — Child Benefit After Age 16 →What Changes Should You Report to CMS?
If a young person's circumstances change, the receiving or paying parent may need to update the relevant authorities.
Because maintenance eligibility can depend on qualifying education, training and Child Benefit, it is important to report changes without unnecessary delay.
Confirm the course name, qualification level and whether it is full-time eligible education.
The Child Benefit claimant should report eligible education, training and relevant changes.
Report relevant changes in the child's circumstances and maintenance eligibility.
Review the confirmed maintenance end date and any revised payment plan.
Where an official CMS assessment remains active, follow the current payment instructions until CMS confirms the relevant change. Report inaccurate circumstances promptly.
What Happens If Maintenance Covers More Than One Child?
Where a CMS assessment covers two or more qualifying children, one child's eligibility may end while the others remain eligible.
The maintenance amount may then need to be recalculated based on the remaining qualifying children. The whole case does not necessarily close.
Example: Two Children, One Starts University
Illustrative Basic-Rate Recalculation
Relevant weekly income: £500
Originally: Two qualifying children
Original Basic-rate amount: £500 × 16% = £80
One child begins advanced university education
One child remains eligible
New illustrative Basic-rate amount: £500 × 12%
This simplified example excludes other supported children, shared care, income adjustments and case-specific timing. CMS must confirm the official assessment.
For more rate examples, read our maintenance for one child and maintenance for two children guides.
Do Child Maintenance Arrears Stop When a Child Turns 18 or 20?
No, not automatically. The end of ongoing CMS maintenance does not necessarily remove unpaid amounts owed from previous payment periods.
CMS may still pursue recoverable arrears after regular maintenance has ended. The recovery position depends on the official debt and relevant legal rules.
What If Current Maintenance Has Stopped?
A paying parent may have no further regular maintenance due for a child but still be required to repay old arrears.
If the parent disagrees with the arrears balance, they should review the payment statement and raise the discrepancy with CMS.
For more information about unpaid payments, repayment arrangements and enforcement, see Child Maintenance Arrears .
Can Maintenance Continue Beyond 20 Under a Private Agreement or Court Order?
Ordinary CMS eligibility is not the only type of financial arrangement parents may have for their children.
Parents can make private arrangements for supporting older children, including those attending university. They may agree how expenses such as accommodation, course costs and general living costs will be shared.
Certain court orders or applications may also provide for financial support in circumstances beyond the ordinary CMS age limit. Eligibility and enforcement depend on the applicable law and order.
Applies under the ordinary qualifying-child rules and normally ends by age 20.
A private agreement or applicable court provision may have different terms and duration.
Do not assume the statutory CMS age limit automatically cancels a separate court order or an enforceable financial obligation. Seek independent legal advice where necessary.
Checklist: How to Confirm When Child Maintenance Ends
Follow these steps when a child approaches age 16, finishes education or moves into another type of training.
- Confirm the young person's date of birth and current age.
- Identify whether they are continuing full-time non-advanced education or approved training.
- Check whether the course was accepted before age 19.
- Confirm any relevant university, paid apprenticeship or work-related change.
- Ask the Child Benefit claimant to update HMRC where required.
- Notify CMS of relevant changes and check the official end date.
- Confirm whether any other qualifying children remain in the case.
- Review any unpaid maintenance and separate court or private obligations.
If maintenance remains payable, our main UK Child Maintenance Calculator can help explain the underlying income-based method. Use the calculator tool to explore supported estimates.
Calculate Current Maintenance →Official Sources: When Child Maintenance Stops
This guide focuses on the statutory Child Maintenance Service used in England, Scotland and Wales. Northern Ireland has separately administered arrangements.
Check official government guidance for the current rules and case-specific decisions.
- GOV.UK — When Child Maintenance Stops
- GOV.UK — Child Maintenance Eligibility
- GOV.UK — Child Benefit When Your Child Turns 16
- GOV.UK — Report Changes to Child Benefit
- GOV.UK — Report Changes to CMS
- GOV.UK — Unpaid Child Maintenance
Independent Website: Child Maintenance Calculator UK is not affiliated with GOV.UK, HMRC, DWP or CMS. Information and examples are general guidance, not official eligibility decisions or personalised legal advice.
Read our Calculation Methodology , Editorial Policy and Disclaimer .