Existing maintenance schemes

Both the existing schemes will continue to be operated by the Child Support Agency, for existing and new customers.

The Commission will continue to develop the schemes and has taken over the delivery of the final year of the Operational Improvement Plan. Once this is complete, the Commission will continue to improve the two statutory schemes for the duration of their existence.

Enhanced enforcement powers will be introduced in 2009/10 and the new ‘gross income’ scheme will be introduced from 2011. Child Support Agency clients on both the existing schemes will then be actively supported either to apply to the new scheme or to make a private arrangement. It is currently planned that this process will take three years.

Until the ‘gross income’ scheme is introduced, the Child Support Agency will continue to calculate the level of maintenance payable and will collect and enforce payments.

For further information about the existing schemes, visit the CSA website.