4 Types Of Income Child Support Can Attach To

Raising children is expensive. There always seems to be something that they need or want. Unfortunately, it can sometimes be hard to meet these needs if you are a single parent and depend on child support to pay these expenses. Although your child support order may only be attached to the non-custodial parent's primary income, there are other sources of money you may receive a portion of. Here are a few of them. 

1. Social Security Benefits

If the non-custodial parent has qualified for social security benefits through either age or disability, your child may also be entitled to a check. They may even qualify if the parent is deceased if they have worked and contributed to the Social Security system.

To qualify, your child must meet the following criteria:

• Be younger than 18
• Be unmarried
• Be a full-time student in secondary school or below

Under certain conditions, even a stepchild, grandchild, or adopted child may qualify. If the child is disabled, their benefits may continue until age 22 or beyond.

2. Workers' Compensation

If the non-custodial parent has sustained an on-the-job injury and receives workers' compensation, you may think you are out of luck in obtaining child support. But depending on your state, this may not be the case.

For example, in North Carolina, while workers' compensation is not subject to the claims of any other creditor or garnishment, it does not apply to child support. The state can withhold up to 40% of the weekly workers' compensation payment to meet the worker's child support obligations.

3. Unemployment Benefits

If the non-custodial parent became unemployed due to no fault of their own, they should qualify for unemployment benefits. If there is an outstanding child support order, you may be able to get a portion of these benefits. 

Just be aware that if the parent returns to court and requests a modification in the order, the court may grant it. Due to the change in their income, the court will probably reduce the amount the order requires them to pay. 

4. Large Lottery Winnings

If the support-paying parent wins a significant amount in the lottery, the state will check for any outstanding debts before paying out the winnings. Outstanding debts also include any back child support. The state will deduct these debts from their winning before disbursing the money.

You also may be able to get the court to modify your order for a larger payment based on their winnings. Unfortunately, you may be out of luck if the person wins a smaller amount that does not require them to collect it from the state office. For more information, contact a child support attorney near you.