South Carolina Child Support
How to apply for child support in South Carolina
You can complete an application online using the North Carolina Child Support Services Division's website. Download Forms.
How to Calculate Child Support in South Carolina?
South Carolina uses the number of children that need to be supported, a parent’s monthly gross income, monthly alimony payments, monthly support and alimony payments paid for previous relationships and additional costs when calculating child support.
How to claim and pay child support?
SC Child support is paid via income withholding, automatic withdrawal, MoneyGram, credit card or debit card before being distributed to the recipient via direct deposit or prepaid card.
Child Support Performance Stats for South Carolina
The South Carolina Department of Social Services keeps track of and reports on the performance of the state's Child Support Services Division.
Statistics for Regular On-Time Payments Collection
Other Incentive Performance Measures
| Performance Measures | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Statewide Paternity Establishment (%) | 98.8 | 94.28 | 94.31 | 91.73 | 80.27 |
| IV-D Paternity Establishment (%) | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Support Order Establishment (%) | 71.62 | 70.5 | 79.39 | 81.94 | 81.14 |
| Cost-Effectiveness ($) | 4.66 | 6.04 | 4.53 | 5.62 | 4.62 |
Total Number of Children in the Child Support Program
Total Distributed Collections and Total Administrative Expenditures ($ Millions)
| 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Distributed Collections ($) | 255.32 | 242.27 | 259.07 | 276.69 | 287.58 |
| Total Distributed to Families ($) | 244.5 | 234.04 | 250.92 | 267.88 | 278.49 |
| Total Administrative Expenditures ($) | 57.06 | 41.79 | 59.48 | 51.34 | 64.85 |
Average Collections per Case with Collections
Can child support be paid off early?
Yes, you may pay early if you choose.
What Will Happen if You fall Behind Child Support Payment?
The state's support division will attempt to collect missing payments and may pursue federal prosecution.
Can you get alimony and support at the same time?
Yes, you may receive both without any conflict.
Can you stop the support payments?
No, you may not stop payments unless you petition the court for a dismissal order and the court agrees.
SC Child Support and Taxes
Child support has no impact on the tax situation of the payer or the recipient in South Carolina.
Can child support payments be claimed on taxes in South Carolina?
No, you cannot claim support payments on taxes in South Carolina.
How does my child support affect my taxes in South Carolina?
Support payments should not be claimed as income or used as deductions on taxes in South Carolina.
Can child support be taken pre-tax?
No, you cannot pay support pre-tax in South Carolina.
Can child support Take my federal tax return?
Yes, tax returns may be intercepted if you are behind on payments.
Paternity Establishment
Paternity must be established in South Carolina before a support order can be established.
How do you establish paternity?
An administrative or court order naming the legal father will be used to establish paternity if parents are not married at the time of birth.
What rights does a father have if not on birth certificate?
No rights are in place until paternity has been legally established.
Can a mother refuse me paternity test?
A South Carolina court can order genetic testing if necessary.
How to establish paternity if the father is deceased?
The DNA of a family member would typically be used in such a case.
Can a father get a paternity test without the mother?
The consent of a primary legal guardian is always needed before submitting a minor to DNA testing.
How long does a father have to establish paternity in South Carolina?
Until a child turns 18.
Support order establishment
A support order can be established by filing a request for services application with the South Carolina Child Support Services Division. Once the application is processed, the CSSD will begin working to locate the non-custodial parent and establish a support order.
State Child Support orders
A negotiation conference or court hearing will be scheduled to establish child support.
Can child support be modified?
Yes, upon the request of a parent.
How do I file for a modification of child support?
File a request with the state's support division for either an administrative or judicial modification and submit all updated financial data that is requested.
Can a child support order appeal?
Yes, you can file a support complaint or support reduction complaint.
Do you need a lawyer to modify the support?
Legal representation is highly recommended when asking for a support obligation to be modified in South Carolina.
When can you modify the support?
Requests can be made at any time if a change in circumstances has occurred.
Child support Enforcement
How long does the support enforcement take?
While enforcement times are typically short, it may take longer to enforce an order if a parent needs to be located.
What to do when child support is not paid?
Alert the local support office you are working with if payments are not being made in full and on a consistent basis.
What Happens if I’m not paying Child support?
You may face income withholding, intercepted tax refunds, seizure of benefits, revocation of licenses, contempt of court charges and federal prosecution.
How much overdue child support payment can be considered a felony?
Support that is overdue by two years or that totals $10,000 or more.
Can the support debt be forgiven?
No, child support debt is not forgiven in South Carolina.
Support Order Termination
How do I stop a child support order?
You may request a signed order to stop support if you have a valid reason.
When Can I Apply for the Support Termination?
When your child has become emancipated, when custody has changed or when you've reconciled with the custodial parent.
Can the custodial parent close a child support case?
A custodial parent can file a motion to dismiss support as long as money is not owed for prior public assistance.
When Can I Stop Paying Child Support?
When a child reaches the legal age of emancipation or if another qualifying circumstance occurs.
When a child turns 18 or graduates from high school.
South Carolina hearing rights
Both parents have hearing rights when it comes to establishing and modifying orders.
South Carolina Child Support Guidelines
South Carolina has legal guidelines in place for determining how much support can be collected and what it can be used for.
Child Support Coverage
What is child support meant to cover?
Food, shelter, clothing, entertainment and all of life's essentials covered by South Carolina Child Support laws.
Does the Support Cover Medical Care Expenses?
Yes, medical expenses and insurance coverage are used when determining support amounts.
What if Both Parents are working, will the Support Cover child care services?
Yes, daycare and childcare expenses are covered.
Are Car Maintenance Costs Covered by Child Support?
Yes, transportation costs are typically covered.
What is Considered Basic Entertainment for Child Support?
Things like Internet access, movies, television and more.
Are College expenses Covered by Child Support?
No, coverage of college expenses is not required in South Carolina.
Are Extracurricular Activities covered by Support?
Yes, fees for extracurricular activities can be covered.
Are School Related Costs Covered by Child Support?
Yes, fees for school activities, field trips and related categories are covered.
Useful links
South Carolina Child Support Offices
| Institution name | Physical address | Email address | Phone number | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Child Support Services Division | Central Inquiry Unit Columbia, SC | N/A | 800.768.585 | https://dss.sc.gov/child-support |
| Columbia Regional Office | 3150 Harden Street Extension | N/A | 803.898.9282 | |
| Florence Regional Office | 2120 W. Jody Rd - Suite D Florence | N/A | 843.661.4750 | |
| Charleston Regional Office | 3346 Rivers Avenue - Suite E North Charleston | N/A | 843.953.9700 | |
| Greenville Regional Office | 714 N. Pleasantburg Drive - Suite 200 Greenvill | N/A | 864.282.4650 |
County Child Support Offices in SC
| County name | Institution name | Physical address | Email address | Phone number | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abbeville County | Greenville County, SC Child Support Services - Greenville Regional Office | 714 N. Pleasantburg Drive - Suite 200, Greenville, SC 29607 | N/A | 1(864) 282-4650 | https://dss.sc.gov/child-support/contact-us/ |
| Aiken County | Richland County, SC Child Support Services - Columbia Regional Office | 3150 Harden Street Extension, Columbia, SC 29203 | N/A | 1(803) 898-9282 | https://dss.sc.gov/child-support/contact-us/ |
| Allendale County | Charleston County, SC Child Support Services - Charleston Regional Office | 3346 Rivers Avenue - Suite E, North Charleston, SC 29405 | N/A | 1(843) 953-9700 | https://dss.sc.gov/child-support/contact-us/ |