COVID-19: Child Support

Are child support orders stopped or suspended because of COVID-19? 

• No. Court orders for child support payments are valid and should be followed.

IF YOU PAY CHILD SUPPORT

Can the government garnish (or take) my stimulus check for back child support? 

• Maybe. Your stimulus check will be garnished (or taken) for back child support if:
  • The local prosecutor’s office is enforcing your child support order (called Title IV-D); and
  • You owe more than
    • $500 in past due child support or
    • $150 in arrears to the State of Indiana

What if I am not working and cannot make my child support payments?

• If you cannot make your child support payments as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic you can file an emergency petition to modify child support with the court.

How do I pay child support if courthouses are closed to the public?

• Child support payments can be made online, by telephone, by mail, and at other locations, as described on the Indiana Department of Child Services, Child Support Bureau website: https://www.in.gov/dcs/3504.htm.

IF YOU RECEIVE CHILD SUPPORT

How can I get help collecting or increasing child support ordered by a court?

• Contact your county’s child support office by phone. You can find your local office’s number at childsupport.in.gov/county. Processing times for help by my delayed because of COVD-19 and vary by county.

How can I get help receiving child support?

• For help establishing child support order, contact your county’s child support office by phone. You can find your local office’s number at childsupport.in.gov/county.  An overview of the child support process is at https://www.in.gov/dcs/2483.htm. Processing times for help by my delayed because of COVD-19 and vary by county.