CHILD AND SPOUSAL SUPPORT DEDUCTIONS
ISSUE DATE: 07/2025
MFIP:
Deduct the actual child support, spousal support, child care support, and medical support that a unit member pays for a person not living in the assistance unit's household. This deduction applies to any payment, whether current or arrears. This deduction applies only to the income of the person legally required to pay support, not to other unit income.
Do not allow administrative fees charged by the employer for income withholding services as a child support deduction.
Verify the amount of support paid at application, recertification, six-month review, and when they report a change.
DWP:
Follow MFIP, EXCEPT the reference to six-month review and recertification do NOT apply.
SNAP:
Deduct court-ordered child support that a person whose income is counted pays to or for a non-household member(s), including vendor payments made on the other household's behalf, and payments made to obtain health insurance for the child(ren).
This deduction applies to unit income. This deduction applies to any payment, whether current or arrears.
Allow this deduction after the earned income deduction, but before the shelter deduction.
Allow this deduction only for support actually paid.
Do not allow administrative fees charged by the employer for income withholding services as a child support deduction.
Use the multiplier to determine the actual child support payments that are paid weekly, bi-weekly, monthly and semi-monthly. The multiplier is:
- 4.3 for weekly costs. |
- 2.15 for bi-weekly costs. |
- 1 for monthly costs. |
- 2 for semi-monthly costs. |
For prospectively budgeted units, calculate court-ordered payments based on payments expected to be made during the certification period. Do not annualize the Child Support deduction.
● | When the amount of court-ordered child support paid in the 30 days prior to application is an indicator of the amount expected to be paid during the certification period with reasonable certainty, anticipate the deduction based on that amount. |
● | When the amount of court-ordered child support paid in the 30 days prior to application is not an indicator of the amount expected to be paid during the certification period, anticipate the deduction based on the payments made in the most recent 3 months unless it is reasonably certain that a change will occur OR use a reasonable period of time if needed. |
Document in CASE/NOTE how the deduction was determined.
For units that contain ineligible non-citizens, ineligible ABAWDs, and non-applicants, or unit members disqualified for non-compliance with Social Security enumeration requirements who pay court-ordered child support:
1. | Prorate the amount of court-ordered child support paid by the ineligible person or disqualified unit member among household members. |
2. | Disregard the prorated share of the costs for the ineligible person(s) or disqualified unit member(s). Allow the remainder of the costs as a child support deduction for the unit. |
For individuals disqualified due to fraud or non-compliance with work requirements, allow the full amount of court-ordered child support paid as a deduction from the individual's income. See 0016.03 (Income from Disqualified Unit Members).
Verify the amount of the court-ordered child support obligation at application, six-month review, and recertification. For changes during the certification period, see 0008.06.01 (Implementing Changes – Program Provisions).
MSA:
No provisions.
GA:
For people eligible to receive a GA personal needs allowance, deduct up to $250/month of income garnished for child support under a court order. Deduct any amount garnished for spousal maintenance under a court order, including administrative fees for collection efforts.
GRH:
Some support deduction may be allowed. See 0018.39 (Prior and Other Income Reductions).
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PREVIOUS REVISIONS
| Date | Notes |
|---|---|
| 05/2023 | under GA, adds provisions for child and spousal support. |
| 04/2018 | in SNAP in the 7th paragraph deletes previous instructions on calculating deductions for court-ordered payments and adds new instructions. |
| 12/2014 | Removed WB. This program was suspended 12/1/14. |
| 10/2013 | in MFIP deletes the 3rd, 4th and 5th paragraphs requiring the client to petition the court to change a support order at recertification. |
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