Re1193 - Maintenance payments: Child Support Agency Assessments
From 5 April 1993, the 1991 Child Support Act and Northern
Ireland Order brought in new arrangements for the maintenance
of children. It is intended that assessments by the Child Support
Agency (CSA) will eventually replace entirely court orders for
basic periodic payments for support of natural and adopted children
(but not step-children). The wide scope of the changes meant that
the work was to be taken on gradually between April 1993 and
January 1997. This period has now been extended indefinitely when
maintenance arrangements under court orders and legal agreements
are already in place and no relevant benefits are being paid for
the family, see Re1200.
The Child Support Act and Northern Ireland Order provide
for
- the CSA to make assessments requiring absent parents to make periodic payments of maintenance to persons caring for their child or children
- the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions to enforce compliance with CSA assessments and certain court orders for periodic payments in respect of children and the separated or former husband or wife.
