The way child maintenance affects benefits changed on 27 October 2008. If you’re the parent with the main day-to-day care and you’re on benefits, you can now choose to arrange child maintenance through a family-based arrangement.
Recent changes in the law mean that money you receive for child maintenance won’t affect any state benefits you’re entitled to.
Council Tax Benefit or Housing Benefit
- Any child maintenance money you receive has no effect on Council Tax or Housing Benefit.
Tax Credit award
- Any child maintenance money you receive has no effect on your Tax Credit award.
