PM 13-01-07.

Determine the child support deduction amount as follows:

One or More Payments Made the 3 Prior Fiscal Months:

When one or more child support payments were made in the 3 prior fiscal months, calculate the amount of the child support deduction using the following steps:

  1. Calculate the child support payments for each of the 3 prior fiscal months. Include cents in the calculation.
  2. Add the 3 monthly totals together.
  3. Divide the result (Step 2) by 3 and drop cents.
  4. Enter the calculated amount (Step 3) in Item 80 as code 372 CS, Child Support.

NOTE: Allow the amount calculated as the child support deduction for the approval period, unless a change in the support order or the payments is expected. If a change in the payments is reported and the FS unit has not made payments in each of the 3 prior fiscal months, verify that a different amount will be paid before you change the amount.

Example 1: Mr. J applied for food stamps in October. The child support order is for $100 per month. Mr. J verified that he paid child support of $119.82 in July, $100 in August and $99.82 in September. Total payments for the 3 months were $319.64. Dividing $319.64 by 3, the monthly average is $106. Mr. J is not expecting any changes in the support order or in the amount he pays. The child support deduction for the approval period is $106.

Example 2: Mr. O applied for food stamps in November. The child support order is for $75 per month. Mr. O verified that he paid child support of $49 in August, $0 in September, and $109 in October. Total payments for the 3 months were $158. Dividing $158 by 3 the monthly average is $52. The child support deduction for the approval period is $52.

No Payments Made In The 3 Prior Fiscal Months

When there were no child support payments made in the last 3 fiscal months, only allow a child support deduction if there is proof that payments will be made.

Example: Mr. M verifies that his support order is for $100 per month. No payments were made in the 3 prior fiscal months. He provides a statement from his employer that child support payments will be deducted from his paycheck. Allow $100 as the child support deduction.