Vermont Child Support
How to apply for child support in Vermont
Child support services in Vermont are the jurisdiction of the Vermont Department for Children and Families. parent simply needs to submit a completed application for child support services to the Vermont DCF or a regional support office if they wish to apply for child support. Download Forms.
How to Calculate Child Support in Vermont?
Support in Vermont is calculated using a formula that takes into account the number of children involved, the income of the non-custodial parent, the ability of a non-custodial parent to pay and family expenditures.
How to claim and pay child support?
Support payments in Vermont can be made online, in person, by phone or by mail and received via direct deposit or a Reliacard® Prepaid Visa® Debit Card.
Child Support Performance Stats for Vermont
The Vermont Department for Children and Families keeps track of the year-to-year performance of the state's Office of Child Support.
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 (%) | 105.57 | 104.92 | 102.13 | 105.99 | 108.95 |
| Support Order Establishment (%) | 88.67 | 88.76 | 89.5 | 90.11 | 90.06 |
| Cost-Effectiveness ($) | 3.5 | 3.27 | 3.04 | 3.06 | 2.89 |
Total Number of Children in the Child Support Program
Total Distributed Collections and Total Administrative Expenditures ($ Millions)
| 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Distributed Collections ($) | 45.99 | 45.01 | 45.14 | 44.09 | 43.66 |
| Total Distributed to Families ($) | 43.38 | 42.57 | 42.76 | 41.86 | 41.43 |
| Total Administrative Expenditures ($) | 13.83 | 14.47 | 15.62 | 15.19 | 15.91 |
Average Collections per Case with Collections
Can child support be paid off early
Yes, you may make lump payments in advance.
What Will happen if You fall Behind Child Support Payment?
You will face a number of penalties that range from confiscated wages to jail time.
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 simply stop making payments unless a court has given you permission to do so based on a qualifying circumstance.
Child Support and Taxes
Child support should not impact the tax situation of either parent.
Can child support payments be claimed on taxes in Vermont?
No, you are not able to claim support payments on taxes in Vermont.
How does my child support affect my taxes in Vermont?
Support payments do not impact the taxes of either parent in Vermont.
Can child support be taken pre-tax?
No, the support can never be paid on a pre-tax basis in Vermont.
Can child support Take my federal tax return?
Yes, tax returns will likely be seized if you fall behind on payments.
Paternity Establishment
You must establish paternity before any rights can be recognized in Vermont.
How do you establish paternity?
Both parents may sign a Voluntary Acknowledgement of Parentage form at the hospital at the time of birth or a court action can be filed in the Family Division of Superior Court.
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?
An action to establish parentage can be filed that may require a mother to submit to paternity testing.
How to establish paternity if the father is deceased?
A court will typically accept the DNA of a family member.
Can a father get a paternity test without the mother?
DNA testing can only be conducted on a minor if the primary legal guardian agrees.
How long does a father have to establish paternity in Vermont?
Paternity can be established until a child turns 18 years old.
Support order establishment
To establish a support order, the custodial parent must send the Vermont Department for Children and Families a completed application for child support services. Once the application has been processed the DCF will file with the courts for a support order.
State Child Support orders
The Vermont Department for Children and Families can assist with all steps related to creating, enforcing and modifying support orders free of charge.
Can child support be modified?
Yes, however, modifications can only be made through a court in Vermont.
How do I file for a modification of child support?
You must petition the court and be able to provide evidence of a substantial change in circumstances.
Can a child support order appeal?
Yes, appeals can be made through the court.
Do you need a lawyer to modify child support?
No, but it is highly recommended that you do not appear in court without the help of a lawyer.
When can you modify the support?
Parents can request modifications in Vermont every three years or if a change in circumstances has occurred.
Child support Enforcement
How long does the child support enforcement take?
Enforcement times will depend on whether or not a non-custodial parent can be easily located.
What to do when the support is not paid?
The support representative who is working on your case should be alerted.
What Happens if I’m not paying Child support in Vermont?
You may face penalties like withheld paychecks, withheld tax refunds, revocation of your license, liens, passport suspension and more.
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?
While support orders cannot be changed retroactively in Vermont, a court may decide that some or all debt does not need to be paid.
Support Order Termination
How do I stop a child support order?
You may file a petition with the Vermont court if a child has become emancipated or if custody has been changed.
When Can I Apply for Child Support Termination?
When your child reaches the legal age for emancipation in Vermont or becomes emancipated before then.
Can the custodial parent close a child support case?
While a custodial parent can petition the court to close a case, the outcome is ultimately up to the court.
When Can I Stop Paying Child Support?
When a child reaches the legal age of emancipation in Vermont or if another qualifying circumstance occurs.
What is the legal age to stop paying child support?
When a child turns 18 or graduates from high school.
Vermont hearing rights
Both parents have hearing rights regarding the establishment, enforcement and modification of support orders in Vermont.
Vermont Child Support Guidelines
Vermont has guidelines in place that determine the amount of money that should be paid and the things that support should cover under typical circumstances.
Vt Child Support Coverage
What is the support meant to cover?
Life essentials like food, shelter, access to basic entertainment and more covered by Vermont child support laws.
Does the Support Cover Medical Care Expenses?
Yes, healthcare coverage and medical expenses are covered.
What if Both Parents are working, will Child Support Cover child care services?
Yes, childcare costs accrued during working hours are covered.
Are Car Maintenance Costs Covered by Child Support?
Yes, transportation costs are typically covered.
What is Considered Basic Entertainment for Child Support?
Internet access, television programs, movies and tickets to events can all qualify as basic entertainment.
Are School and College expenses Covered by Child Support?
No, but support can be extended while a child is attending college in some cases.
Yes, standard school-related costs are typically covered by support.
Are Extracurricular Activities covered by Support?
Yes, many fees related to extracurricular activities can be covered.
Vermont Child Support Offices
| Institution name | Physical address | Email address | Phone number | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Office of Child Support - Vermont Department for Children and Families | ermont Office of Child Support, Williston | OCSCSU@vermont.gov | 800-786-3214 | http://dcf.vermont.gov/ocs |
County Child Support Offices in VT
| County name | Institution name | Physical address | Email address | Phone number | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Addison County | Rutland County, VT Southwest Region Child Support Office | 420 Asa Bloomer State Office Building, 4th Floor, 88 Merchants Row, Rutland, VT 05701 | OCSCSU@vermont.gov | 1(802) 786-5060 | http://dcf.vermont.gov/ocs/contact-us/regional-offices |
| Bennington County | Rutland County, VT Southwest Region Child Support Office | 420 Asa Bloomer State Office Building, 4th Floor, 88 Merchants Row, Rutland, VT 05701 | OCSCSU@vermont.gov | 1(802) 786-5060 | http://dcf.vermont.gov/ocs/contact-us/regional-offices |
| Caledonia County | Caledonia County, VT Northeast Region Child Support Office | 1153 Main Street, Suite 2, St. Johnsbury, VT 05819 | OCSCSU@vermont.gov | 1(802) 751-2650 | http://dcf.vermont.gov/ocs/contact-us/regional-offices |
Download Child support Forms for Vermont
| Title | Number |
|---|---|
| Application for Child Support Services | OCS 202A |
| Motion To Enforce Child Support | 803 |
| Financial Affidavit: Income and Expenses | 813A |
| FINANCIAL AFFIDAVIT - NON-DIVORCE | 813S |