Child maintenance is meant to help pay for the day‑to‑day living costs of a child when parents live apart. It is usually paid by the parent who does not live with the child to the parent who does, or to a carer who looks after the child.

What child maintenance usually covers

In practice, most UK‑based guidance says child maintenance is intended to contribute towards:

  • Housing and utilities
    • Rent, mortgage payments, council tax, water, gas, and electricity that relate to the child living in the home.
  • Food and groceries
    • Everyday meals, snacks, and basic household items used by the child.
  • Clothing and essentials
    • Everyday clothes, shoes, underwear, and basic toiletries for the child.
  • School‑related costs
    • School uniforms, basic school supplies, and local travel to and from school (though not always expensive private‑school fees or long‑distance travel).
  • Basic childcare and home items
    • Toys, bedding, and other household items the child uses regularly.

Extras that are not always included

Child maintenance is not meant to cover every single cost on its own; larger or one‑off expenses are usually dealt with separately by agreement or court order.

Typical extra costs that often sit outside the standard child‑maintenance amount:

  • Private school fees, specialist tuition, or expensive tutoring.
  • Major medical or dental treatments beyond normal NHS care.
  • Expensive leisure activities, holidays, or overseas trips.

Many separating parents agree a “top‑up” or Section 7 order (in England and Wales) to share these extra costs, rather than relying only on the statutory child‑maintenance figure.

Quick‑scoop table: What child maintenance covers

Area of cost| Typically covered by child maintenance?| Notes
---|---|---
Housing (rent/mortgage, council tax, utilities)| Yes, in part| Shared household costs where the child lives. 35
Food and groceries| Yes| Everyday meals and snacks. 35
Everyday clothing/shoes| Yes| Basic items, not luxury brands. 3
School uniforms & basics| Yes, usually| Not always full‑fee private‑school costs. 39
Local school travel| Often included| Mainly public‑transport costs. 39
Toys and home items| Yes| Reasonable, everyday items the child uses. 3
Major medical/dental| No, usually extra| Often dealt with by separate agreement or court. 19
Private‑school fees| No, usually extra| Requires specific agreement or court order. 9
Holidays & luxury items| No, usually extra| Parents often arrange separately. 1

If you tell me your country (e.g., England, Scotland, elsewhere in the UK) and whether you’re paying or receiving, a more tailored breakdown of “what it should cover” in your situation can be set out.