Child support helps many children thrive. Various factors typically determine the amount one parent pays to the other. They include income, custody arrangements and the needs of the child.
When a child has a disability, additional considerations may influence the amount of support.
Financial needs
A child with a disability may require specialized medical care, therapy or equipment. Each can incur substantial costs. For example, a child who is blind may need extra support for these reasons:
- Specialized education and resources, such as braille materials, assistive technology and orientation and mobility training
- Therapy needs, such as occupational therapy or vision rehabilitation services
- Assistive devices, such as screen readers, braille displays and mobility aids, to navigate their environment effectively
- Modifications to the home environment, such as ramps or tactile markers
- Transportation services or accommodations to access educational, medical and recreational activities to and from school, medical appointments, and extracurricular programs
Parents must consider these additional expenses when calculating child support.
Custodial arrangements and caregiving responsibilities
In many cases, the parent who has primary custody of the child may bear a greater financial burden in providing care and support. This may result in an adjustment to the child support amount to reflect the increased costs associated with caregiving responsibilities.
Government assistance
The family may be eligible for government assistance programs such as Medicaid and SSI. Government assistance may affect the calculation of child support since it can offset some of the costs associated with caring for a child with a disability.
By accounting for various factors, parents can work together to ensure that their child receives the support they need to thrive.
