If you’re a parent receiving Social Security Disability (SSD) payments, you may be wondering how this income will affect your child support obligations. Whether you have joint custody of a child or are the primary custodial parent, understanding the impact of SSD on child support is important.

First, it’s important to know that SSD payments are considered income to determine child support. This means that if you’re paying child support, your SSD payments may be used to calculate the amount of support you owe. On the other hand, if you’re receiving child support, your SSD payments may be considered in the calculation of the support you receive.

However, there are some important considerations to keep in mind when it comes to social security disability and child support.

Joint Custody

If you have joint custody of a child, your SSD payments may not be factored into child support calculations in the same way as other income. This is because child support is typically calculated based on the income of the primary custodial parent, rather than both parents. In joint custody arrangements, child support may be calculated based on the relative income of each parent, and SSD payments may be considered as part of this calculation.

Impairment-Related Work Expenses

If you have a disability that requires you to incur certain expenses related to your condition (such as medical equipment, transportation, or personal care services), these expenses may be deductible from your SSD income to calculate child support.

Disability Reviews

If you receive SSD payments, it’s important to be aware that the Social Security Administration (SSA) may periodically review your case to determine whether your disability has improved and whether you’re able to return to work. If your disability is found to have improved and you’re able to return to work, your SSD payments may be terminated, which could impact your child support obligations.

When evaluating the impact of SSD on child support, it’s important to consider your circumstances and to consult with a qualified attorney or other professional if you have questions.

Tips for Parents Receiving SSD Payments With Child Support

up close photo of child's hands stacking coins on a table

If you’re a parent receiving SSD payments, there are steps you can take to protect your rights and ensure that your child support obligations are properly calculated:

Keep Records

Keep records of your SSD payments and any expenses related to your disability, as these may be relevant to child support calculations.

Communicate with the SSA 

If you receive a disability review notice from the SSA, be sure to respond promptly and provide any information requested. This will help ensure that your disability status is accurately determined and that your SSD payments are not terminated inappropriately.

Consider Seeking Legal Advice 

If you’re involved in a child custody or support dispute, or if you have questions about how SSD will affect your support obligations, consider seeking the advice of a qualified attorney. A lawyer can help you understand your rights and obligations and can provide guidance and support throughout the process.

Contact The Law Offices of Karen Kraus Bill

Understanding the impact of SSD on child support can be complicated, but it’s important for parents receiving SSD payments to be aware of their rights and obligations. Whether you have joint custody of a child or are the primary custodial parent, it’s important to keep records of your SSD payments, to communicate with the SSA, and to consider seeking legal advice if you have questions. With the right resources and support, you can navigate this process and ensure that your child support obligations are properly calculated. If you are stuck trying to figure out what is your best option for managing your social security disability and child support payments, the disability attorneys at the Law Offices of Karen Kraus Bill can help. Schedule a consultation for us to review your case today.