The maintenance requirement
1(1)In this Schedule “the maintenance requirement” means the amount, calculated in accordance with the formula set out in sub-paragraph (2), which is to be taken as the minimum amount necessary for the maintenance of the qualifying child or, where there is more than one qualifying child, all of them.
(2)The formula is—
MR = AG - CB
where—
MR is the amount of the maintenance requirement;
AG is the aggregate of the amounts to be taken into account under sub-paragraph (3); and
CB is the amount payable by way of child benefit (or which would be so payable if the person with care of the qualifying child were an individual) or, where there is more than one qualifying child, the aggregate of the amounts so payable with respect to each of them.
(3)The amounts to be taken into account for the purpose of calculating AG are—
(a)such amount or amounts (if any), with respect to each qualifying child, as may be prescribed;
(b)such amount or amounts (if any), with respect to the person with care of the qualifying child or qualifying children, as may be prescribed; and
(c)such further amount or amounts (if any) as may be prescribed.
(4)For the purposes of calculating CB it shall be assumed that child benefit is payable with respect to any qualifying child at the basic rate.
(5)In sub-paragraph (4) “basic rate” has the meaning for the time being prescribed.