How does a tribal child support program determine the amount of child support owed?

Both state and tribal child support agencies are required to establish guidelines for determining payment amounts. The guidelines take into consideration the needs of the child and the income of at least the noncustodial parent.

Tribal child support agencies have the flexibility to authorize in-kind, non-cash child support payments based on culture and tradition. These non-cash payments (assigned a monetary value) can be items such as firewood, salmon and deer meat or services such as childcare, repairs to a home, or other services approved by the tribe. Both parents must agree to the in-kind payments. In-kind payments follow guidelines established by the tribe.