If a non-resident parent is making payments to us, we will contact them to set up payment arrangements and tell them when to pay. We do this by sending them a collection schedule.
What is a collection schedule?
A collection schedule is a table that shows details of how much child maintenance the non-resident parent will pay and when they need to make the payments. If they are paying direct to the parent with care, they might find it useful to draw up their own timetable of payments. This can help both parents know how much child maintenance is due on what date.
The collection schedule is usually for 12 months.
If we know there will be changes to the amount due within the next 12 months the schedule will show this. For example, the non-resident parent may be paying any previous payments they have missed (sometimes called arrears), as well as their regular child maintenance payments. If they pay all the arrears before the end of the 12 months, the collection schedule will show when the amount of child maintenance will change.
About 28 days before the date of the last payment shown in the collection schedule, we may send a new schedule for the next 12 months. We may also send a new collection schedule if the amount of child maintenance changes for any reason.
Collection schedules may include other payments that are due, for example:
- any arrears that the non-resident parent owes (these are payments you have previously missed)
- other amounts they are responsible for, such as the cost of a DNA test or court costs.
How often do payments have to be made?
We will agree with the non-resident parent and parent with care how often and when payments will be made. Often this will be based on when the non-resident parent is paid their wages, pension or benefits.
In general most payments are made:
- every week — 52 payments a year
- every fortnight — 26 payments a year
- every four weeks — 13 payments a year, or
- every month — 12 payments a year.
For more information about making payments and collection schedules read our leaflet "How do I pay child maintenance?"
[PDF 571KB] 
If you are a non-resident parent who is having problems paying, please get in touch with us as soon as possible. Find out more about what happens if you don't make payments here.
Page topRelated information
- Read our leaflet
"How do I pay child maintenance?" [PDF 251Kb]
- Read our leaflet
"What action can the Child Support Agency take if parents don't pay?" [PDF 218KB]
