A maintenance payment is a payment that is made to a client to help meet general living expenses.

Sometimes, a maintenance payment can be made to someone assisting with your care.

You might find this useful for things you buy every day, like food or train tickets. You can also pay your household bills (like electricity or phone bills) from your maintenance amount.

If you think a maintenance payment will help you manage daily living expenses, you should talk to your Client Services Officer.

How much is a maintenance payment?

There are no set amounts for maintenance payments. Everyone’s situation is different.

Decisions about how much you receive will depend on your personal circumstances.

The Senior Master always thinks about how much is in your funds held in Court before approving a maintenance payment amount, and how much you can afford. This is to make sure that you have enough money to use in the future.

Can I change my maintenance payment amount?

Yes.

You can ask for your payment amount to be changed if your circumstances change.

This might be because you:

  • get a job
  • move house
  • have children.

You could also change the amount if you find you are budgeting well and don’t need as much.

If you reduce your maintenance payment amount it will help the Senior Master to save your money for your future.

How do maintenance payments affect my funds?

Maintenance payments are deducted from your funds held in Court.

When you take payments from the amount held for you by the Senior Master, you may earn less income. This is because you will have less in your account.

Each maintenance payment is listed on your Common Fund 2 statement as a withdrawal. Read Common funds if you need more information.