We class maintenance as a payment received from another person as agreed by a court order, by the Child Support Agency or through a voluntary agreement. Maintenance does not relate to income from Student Finance England or any costs associated with your rent and cost of living.
Yourself
If you are receiving maintenance payments (including voluntary maintenance arrangements) for yourself, you will need to declare this as income in the 'Student's Income and Expenses' section of your application.
Your / spouse / partner / civil partner
If your spouse / partner civil partner receives maintenance payments (including voluntary maintenance arrangements) for themselves or a child, this will need to be declared as their own income if you are claiming Dependants Allowance.
Your child
If you are receiving maintenance payments for your child, these do not need to be declared as they are not used in the assessment.