Summary of Measures in the Act Child Maintenance Current position
25.Under the current ‘new scheme’ legislation, the information used to calculate maintenance includes: the non-resident parent’s net weekly income, the number of qualifying children, and the number of ‘relevant other children’ (those living with the non-resident parent whether or not they are children of that parent). The maintenance calculation can be adjusted if a change in circumstances is reported to the CSA, although a change of less than 5% in net weekly income would not result in an adjustment.
26.For the purposes of child maintenance, net weekly income is a non-resident parent’s income from employment or self employment, tax credits, or from an occupational or personal pension after deductions for income tax, national insurance, and contributions to an occupational or personal pension have been applied.
27.Once enough information is provided by the non-resident parent, a calculation is performed to establish how much maintenance is payable to the person with care. The basic rate of maintenance takes account of how many children the non-resident parent is required to pay maintenance for, and is based on a percentage of their net income, up to a maximum of £2,000 per week, which is:
	15% for one qualifying child;
	20% for two qualifying children; and
	25% for three or more qualifying children.
28.A flat rate is payable by non-resident parents who are in receipt of benefit or earn less than £100 a week, and is an amount up to £5 per week.