Idaho Child Support
How to Apply for Child Support in Idaho
Idaho's Child Support Services must be contacted to initiate a support order. Child Support Services then sends both parents a letter requesting detailed information and explaining what the process is for obtaining a support order. Download Forms.
How to Calculate Child Support in Idaho?
Idaho uses income and custody schedules to determine the appropriate amount of support that is owed.
How to Claim and Pay Child Support?
Support payments in Idaho can be placed directly into a bank account or on a Family Support Card. Payments can be made by mail, through an employer or using Idaho's online payment system.
Child Support Performance Stats for Idaho
Idaho's Child Support Services is managed by the state's Department of Health and Welfare. Several key measures are used when looking at year-to-year trends.
Statistics for Regular On-Time Payments Collection
Other Incentive Performance Measures
| Performance Measures | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Statewide Paternity Establishment (%) | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| IV-D Paternity Establishment (%) | 97.85 | 100.79 | 100.1 | 97.51 | 98.71 |
| Support Order Establishment (%) | 87.21 | 86.22 | 84.61 | 86.73 | 87.88 |
| Cost-Effectiveness ($) | 7.17 | 7.66 | 7.28 | 7.78 | 7.03 |
Total Number of Children in the Child Support Program
Total Distributed Collections and Total Administrative Expenditures ($ Millions)
| 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Distributed Collections ($) | 151.98 | 159.59 | 161.39 | 169.28 | 171.54 |
| Total Distributed to Families ($) | 148.66 | 156.58 | 158.66 | 166.53 | 168.87 |
| Total Administrative Expenditures ($) | 22.83 | 22.39 | 23.77 | 23.27 | 26.11 |
Average Collections per Case with Collections
Can the support be paid off early?
While support can be paid early in Idaho, changes in circumstances could affect what the total obligation will be.
What Will Happen if You fall Behind the Support Payment?
Child Support Services will take all legal measures possible to enforce an order.
Can you get alimony and support at the same time?
Yes, you can.
Can you stop the support payments?
The support payments cannot be stopped unless there is a court order resulting from a change in circumstances.
Child Support and Taxes
Support generally does not impact tax filings.
Can the support payments be claimed on taxes in Idaho?
Support payments cannot be deducted on taxes. In addition, they do not count as taxable income for the recipient.
How does my child support affect my taxes in Idaho?
While child support does not affect taxes, a person making support payments may be able to claim a child as a dependent.
Can child support be taken pre-tax?
No, it can't be taken pre-tax.
Can child support Take my federal tax return?
Child Support Services may work with the IRS to seize federal tax returns if there are outstanding payments.
Paternity Establishment
It is necessary to establish paternity in order to establish a support order. Paternity establishment can be ordered on a voluntary or involuntary basis.
How do you establish paternity?
Paternity can be automatically established if parents were married at the time of birth or conception. In addition, a court order can be used to establish legal fatherhood.
What rights does a father have if not on birth certificate?
Paternity must be established before a father can have any custody rights.
Can a mother refuse me paternity test?
Idaho court may order genetic testing. In addition, paternity can be established through default in Idaho if one party does not cooperate.
How to establish paternity if the father is deceased?
Genetic testing can be done on a family member in most cases.
Can a father get a paternity test without the mother?
A father cannot subject a child to genetic testing without the permission of the child's legal guardian. However, a court may recognize a test that has been done legally.
How long does a father have to establish paternity in Idaho?
An acknowledgment or affidavit (AOP) can be signed at the hospital within 72 hours of the child's birth, or at the local health department. Both the mother and the father must sign the affidavit. Within 60 days of the signing the affidavit, however, anyone who is entitled to file a paternity case in Idaho can file a case and ask for genetic testing.
Support Order Establishment
Child Support Services is responsible for establishing support orders. The agency collects the appropriate information before initiating an order. All support orders in Idaho must be signed by a judge.
State Child Support Orders
The Support Services will send certified letters to both parents documenting the information that must be collected. Child Support Services must be contacted even if a private attorney is being used to establish an order.
Can the support be modified?
A request for modification must be filed.
Three years after an order was created or modified.
How do I file for a modification of child support?
A case manager must be contacted. Child Support Services will review an order if a modification is being requested.
Can a support order appealed?
Child Support Services can help with appeals for increases or decreases of more than 15 percent.
Do you need a lawyer to modify the support?
While legal help is not required, it is advised.
Child Support Enforcement
How long does the support enforcement take?
Idaho uses an automated computer system to track how much support is owed and how much is paid for each case. Child Support Services will work with a parent to fix the situation when payments are late before taking necessary legal measures.
What to do when the support is not paid?
Contact Child Support Services to have the case reviewed.
What Happens if I’m not paying the support?
Idaho's Child Support Services may take the following measures:
- Income Withholding
- Garnishing accounts
- Credit reporting
- Intercepting lottery winnings
- Intercepting federal tax refunds
- Intercepting state tax refunds
- Withholding federal benefits and retirement accounts
- Suspending licenses
- Filing liens
- Intercepting retirement benefits
- Passport denials
- Establishing judgments
- Contempt action
- Federal prosecution
How much overdue child support payment can be considered a felony?
In Idaho, payments that are overdue for longer than two years or total more than $10,000 can qualify for a felony.
Can the support debt be forgiven?
It is possible to petition to have support debt forgiven in Idaho.
Support Order Termination
How do I stop a child support order?
Payments can only stop when a support order indicates that support is no longer due.
When Can I Apply for the Support Termination?
A modification can be requested if a child becomes emancipated or some other major life change occurs.
Can the custodial parent close a support case?
A parent who is ordered to receive support can choose to have Child Support Services enforce a case or take a less active role. Anyone receiving public assistance will have their case enforced until they no longer receive public assistance.
When Can I Stop Paying the Support?
When a child reaches a certain age or graduates from high school.
The legal age to stop paying the support is 18 years old.
Idaho Hearing Rights
Mothers and fathers have the right to request hearings when it comes to establishing support and modifying support.
ID Child Support Guidelines
Idaho's guidelines for support dictate that a parent's support obligation should not be set at zero. Each parent should be responsible for contributing at least $50 per month per child.
ID Child Support Coverage
What is the support meant to cover?
Idaho Child support laws are intended to cover basic necessities like food, shelter, and clothing. It can also cover other life essentials.
Does the Support Cover Medical Care Expenses?
Typically, yes it does cover medical expenses.
What if Both Parents are working, will the Support Cover child care services?
Child support can cover childcare expenses.
Are Car Maintenance Costs Covered by the Support?
Maintenance costs and other fees associated with a car that is used to transport a child are typically covered by support.
What is Considered Basic Entertainment for the Support?
Access to computers, games, television programs and the Internet. In addition, any age-appropriate form of entertainment may be covered.
Are College and School expenses Covered by the Support?
No, college expenses are not covered by the support.
School-related costs are covered until a child graduates from high school.
Are Extracurricular Activities Covered by Support?
Yes, extracurricular activities are covered by the support
Useful links
Idaho Child Support Offices
| Institution name | Physical address | Email address | Phone number | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Department of Health and Welfare | 450 W. State Street Boise, ID | APSPortal@idhw.state.id.us | (208) 334-5500 | http://www.healthandwelfare.idaho.gov/ |
| Coeur D' Alene Tribe | Plummer, Idaho 83851 | mlowley@cdatribe-nsn.gov | (208) 686-5309 | |
| Nez Perce Tribe | Lapwai, Idaho 83540 | jeanettep@nezperce.org | (208) 843-7362 x 3869 | |
| Shoshone-Bannock Tribes | Fort Hall, Idaho 83203 | lydixey@sbtribes.com | (208) 236-1174 |
County Child Support Offices in ID
| County name | Institution name | Physical address | Email address | Phone number | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kootenai County | Kootenai County, ID Coeur d?Alene Child Support and Social Service Office | 1120 Ironwood Drive, Coeur d?Alene, ID 83814 | ChildSupport@dhw.idaho.gov | 1(800) 356-9868 | https://mychildsupport.idaho.gov/cswebsite/landing.action |
| Shoshone County | Shoshone County, ID Kellogg Child Support and Social Service Office | 35 Wildcat Way, Suite B, Kellogg, ID 83837 | ChildSupport@dhw.idaho.gov | 1(800) 356-9868 | https://mychildsupport.idaho.gov/cswebsite/landing.action |
| Bonner County | Bonner County, ID Sandpoint-Ponderay Child Support and Social Service Office | 207 Larkspur Street, Ponderay, ID 83852 | ChildSupport@dhw.idaho.gov | 1(800) 356-9868 | https://mychildsupport.idaho.gov/cswebsite/landing.action |
Download Child support Forms for Idaho
| Title | Number |
|---|---|
| Family Law Case Information | CAO FL 1-1 |
| Decree of Paternity, Custody, Visitation and Support | CAO P 8-2 |
| Petition for Paternity Custody Visitation and Support | CAO P 1-2 |
| Standard Child Support Worksheet | CAO FL 1-13 |
| Parenting Plan | CAO FL 3 |