Child Support Pass-Through Payment Rule Helping Families

 Posted on December 09, 2024 in Child Support

The child support pass-through payment rule signed by Governor Pritzker went into effect in July 2024. Until this rule was enacted, Illinois withheld a portion of child support payments to cover operational costs. Now, the entire child support payment will be given to the family, and the department's budget will be increased to cover this gap. Families will also receive a check issued by the Illinois Office of the Comptroller for amounts that were deducted for operational costs from January 2023 to July 2024.

This rule benefits low-income families with children who are current or former recipients of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). Illinois is now the first state in the nation to ensure that families receive the entirety of child support money. Other states still appropriate a portion of child support to cover their own departmental costs. This change can help families who depend on child support and TANF for their basic needs. Children will now benefit from the full amount of child support that is paid, helping struggling families who need every single dollar to survive.  

The first full pass-through payments were sent out on July 10, 2024. Regular payments will continue to be issued via the LINK card. Child support payments collected and passed on to the receiving parent will not impact that parent’s TANF eligibility. If you have questions regarding this new change and how it may impact you and your family, speak to a knowledgeable Barrington, IL family law attorney from The Law Office of Nicholas W. Richardson, P.C..

What is Child Support Intended For?

Child support refers to the ongoing payments made by one parent to the other after a divorce, which are meant to help cover expenses for shared children. These payments are supposed to offset the financial cost of raising children while maintaining the same standard of living the children had when their parents were married. When one parent has less income or is responsible for the children for significantly more time than the other, child support is generally paid by the higher-income parent.   

Child support can be used by the receiving parent for ordinary household expenses (rent, mortgage, utilities, food, clothing), as well as other needs like school supplies, the costs of extra-curricular activities and sports, toys, medical expenses, and other wellness needs. While the paying parent is not allowed to dictate how child support is spent, it is assumed that the receiving parent will not use the money for items that do not benefit the child, including alcohol, firearms, tattoos, or tobacco.

How is Child Support Calculated?

Before 2017, Illinois child support was determined based on the paying parent’s income and the number of minor children belonging to the couple. The new child support laws consider the combined net incomes of both parents. Each parent’s net income is calculated by taking his or her gross income minus allowed expenses. Their net incomes are combined, and each parent’s percentage of this total net income is calculated.

The basic child support obligation is calculated by plugging the combined net income into an income shares chart and then multiplying that number by the parent’s percentage of the combined net income. The resulting numbers are each parent’s child support obligations. The parent with the majority of parenting time is generally considered the receiving parent; his or her financial obligation is presumed to already be applied to the child’s financial support. The paying parent’s amount is paid to the receiving parent.  

Contact a Northwest Cook County, IL Child Support Lawyer

The Law Office of Nicholas W. Richardson, P.C. is committed to ensuring that a child's best interests are consistently met when advocating for child support or during the allocation of parental responsibilities. We will listen carefully when new issues arise or obligations are not properly met and help you find the best solution. Having an experienced Palatine, IL child support lawyer can help ensure fair and balanced agreements. Call 847.873.6741 to schedule a free consultation to discuss your family law issues.