Child Support When You're Afraid of the Other Parent

This guide (PDF) was developed in collaboration with the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges to help survivors of domestic violence make fully informed decisions about safety and child support services. Child support processes and safety modifications vary by state. The guide provides a sequence of questions that survivors or domestic violence advocates can ask to learn about safety measures available in their state. It also explains why it’s important for child support workers to discuss local safety measures with all recipients of child support services.

Do you want child support but are afraid of how your current or former partner/spouse/ boyfriend/girlfriend may react to a child support case?

Are you unsure about getting child support and want to know what protections are available from your local child support agency?

You are not alone.

Many parents want or need child support but worry about getting child support safely.

Is this domestic violence?

When most people hear the words “domestic violence” they think of physical or sexual abuse. Some abusers never physically attack their victims. They may use threats, shame, insults, and isolation. Abusers also use resources to control by denying access to money, a car, telephone, or legal documents—making it hard to leave or stay away. Abusers can also use threats about kids, custody, or child support as a way to maintain control.

What will happen in the child support process?

Child support workers will ask questions about domestic violence to:

• Keep families safe and explain what they can do to make getting child support safer
• Help survivors take care of their children and gain financial independence with child support payments
• Work with other community services that help survivors with housing, transportation, employment, and other support

Is there a protection order issued against your current or former partner?

If so, show it to agency workers EVERY TIME you visit a public assistance, child support, or other public benefits office.  You don’t have to have a protection order for public agencies to provide safety options for their services. Tell agency workers about ANY safety concerns you have. Agency workers should keep your information confidential, with some exceptions for information about child abuse or if you tell them you are in immediate danger. Ask how they will keep any information you share confidential.

REMEMBER:

You can update information about safety at any time. Even if you’ve already told agency staff that you didn’t have safety concerns, things change and we want to help you stay safe.

Provide information about your safety concerns EVERY TIME you contact an agency.

If you don’t want child support, know your options

If you need child support but are afraid to go through the process, you may be able to request a good cause exemption.

What is a “good cause” exemption from child support collection?

For some people, getting child support may be dangerous. There are options available to protect you. Violence or your fear of violence may be good cause to allow you to get public benefits you need without going through the child support process.

How can you get a good cause exemption?

Ask your benefits caseworker or call the agency when applying online for benefits.

• Does applying for benefits mean a child support case will be opened?
• How can I stop a child support case from opening if it’s not safe to get support?
• If a child support case is already open, how can I close the case or get a good cause exemption?

If you need to talk to someone immediately about safety when getting public assistance or child support, or if your agency worker is unable to help you, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233 or the StrongHearts Native Helpline at 844-7NATIVE. Highly trained advocates are available 24/7/365 to talk confidentially with anyone experiencing domestic violence, seeking resources or information, or questioning unhealthy aspects of their relationship.

Disclaimer: This page was created as part of a project supported by Grant No. 90EV0439-03 (the Resource Center on Domestic Violence: Child Protection and Custody (RCDV:CPC)) from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration on Children, Youth and Families, Family and Youth Services Bureau. The opinions, findings, conclusions, and recommendations expressed on this page are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the RCDV:CPC or the Administration on Children, Youth and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.