The New Pass-Through Payment Rule for Illinois Child Support 

 Posted on October 14, 2024 in Family Law

Child support collected and retained by DHFS between January 1, 2023 and July 1, 2024 will be passed on to the family, thanks to a new law signed by Governor Pritzker. This makes Illinois the first state in the nation to ensure that families receive 100 percent of the child support they should receive. Single mothers and struggling families in the state need every dollar to survive and care for their children.  

Child support payments collected going forward will be sent to the parent the month after being collected and will not adversely affect a parent’s eligibility for TANF benefits. If you are uncertain about these changes or have questions regarding any aspect of child support or other family law matters, a Bloomingdale, IL family law attorney from Mevorah & Giglio Law Offices can help.

Is the Amount of Child Support Altered When One Parent Receives Government Assistance?

Parents who are in the middle of determining the allocation of parental responsibilities and child support may wonder whether receiving government benefits will change the amount of child support. Child support in Illinois is calculated by taking the combined adjusted net income of both parents and then assigning support costs to each parent according to his or her contribution to the combined income, with some allowed deductions.    

The gross income of each parent includes any spousal support from a prior marriage, income, and overtime pay from a regular job, as well as income from a second job. Gross income does not include money or services received from public assistance programs like TANF, SSI, or SNAP. Gross income is converted to net income using the standardized income conversion chart. Actual expenses for the child or children are added to the general basic support obligation, including:

• Childcare expenses

• School-related and extracurricular expenses

• Insurance premiums

• Life insurance to cover child support in the event the paying parent dies.

How is Child Support Paid in Illinois?

There are several different ways child support can be paid to the receiving parent:

• If the paying parent's wages have been garnished, his or her employer will withhold the required amount and send it monthly to the Illinois State Disbursement Unit (ISDU).

• Electronic payments can be made through ISDU, allowing the paying parent to pay with a credit or debit card or over the phone.

• Payment can be mailed to ISDU to distribute to the receiving parent.

While the paying parent can make child support payments directly to the receiving parent, it is not always a good idea because there could be allegations of non-payment, especially if payments are made in cash. In some cases, a provider for services may be paid directly by the paying parent. This could be a doctor, childcare center, or school.

Contact a DuPage County, IL Child Support Lawyer

If you need assistance with a child support issue, speaking to a Naperville, IL child support lawyer from Mevorah & Giglio Law Offices can be beneficial. Our firm offers extended evening and weekend hours to accommodate your schedule and respond quickly to client inquiries to provide ongoing updates on the status of your case. Contact Mevorah & Giglio Law Offices at 630-932-9100 to schedule your free consultation.