5165-3        CHILD SUPPORT DEDUCTION

Child support payments made by a household member are allowed only if the parent who has this expense also has their needs or income included in the eligibility determination.   This deduction is applied to the total of earned and unearned income, after any earned income disregards have been subtracted.

The amount of the deduction is the anticipated child support payment that will be made during the benefit month.  This deduction is allowed even if the child for whom the support is paid is a member of the household.

Allowable deductions include:

• Amounts paid toward current or past due child support.
   

• Legally obligated payments made to a third party for the non-household member that is owed the support.  These payments may include rent, utility payments, and health insurance premiums.

Child support payments that are made in advance may be prorated over the months the payment is intended to cover.

Note:  

Child support payments are also allowed as a deduction when deeming the income of a stepparent, non-qualified alien parent, or parent of a minor parent.  See manual section 5160.