FAQs

You can find applications to apply for Child Support on the Wisconsin Department of Child and Families website under “Applying for Services”. 

You can find rules and forms for changing a support order on the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families website under “Changing Child Support Orders” and “Enforcing Support Orders”.

You can find this information on the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families website under “Setting Support Orders”.

You can find this information on the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families website under “Fatherhood (Paternity)”.

You will receive your child support in the form of a debit card or direct deposit into a banking account. Child support customers will be automatically enrolled in the debit card program when a support collection is received. You will first receive a letter informing you that a payment has been received and that a debit card will be forthcoming in the mail. You can find more information regarding the debit card and direct deposit.

You can find more information on the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families website.

For information regarding Child Support and parents in the military, please visit the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families website. 

You can view your online account on the Wisconsin Child Support Online Services website.  Here you can: view and print payment history, update your address and phone number and print payment coupons. 

The direct deposit form can be used to sign up, change or cancel direct deposit. 

State law requires that all orders for support are paid via income withholding from your paycheck. An income withholding order will be mailed to your employer. It can take 2-4 weeks for your employer to process the withholding. It is your responsibility to send in payments on your own until you see it withheld from your paycheck. You will find payment coupons, the remittance address and information on how to make payments by phone or on-line in the attached packet. If you are self-employed or in between jobs, you must send in your own payments.  You can find more information about making child support payments on the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families website.  

Complete the form and return to Child Support Agency at the end of each month to report back your current job status. 

Under State and Federal law, Birth Expenses and arrears (past due support) are subject to tax intercept based on specific criteria. They will remain certified and tax refunds will be intercepted until the outstanding amounts are paid in full, even if payments are being made.

No. You must remit your child support payments to the Wisconsin Support Collections Trust Fund. If you make direct payments to the custodial parent (payee), you will NOT receive credit for the payments and the payments may be considered a gift, not a child support payment.

No. Your child support order continues at the same rate. Contact your Child Support case worker or your attorney to find out how to modify your child support order. The adjustment is not automatic.

Contact your caseworker to report the change. If you get their voicemail, leave a detailed message that includes your SSN or case number, your phone number and your new address or employer information, including name of company or temporary agency, address, phone number and fax number. You must report changes to your employer or address within 10 days of the change.

Placement (visitation) and child support are separate issues. If either party is not following the court order, a motion can be filed to find the other party in Contempt. The custodial parent and child(ren) moving to a different state does not stop your obligation to pay child support. Be advised that the Child Support Agency does NOT get involved with placement, visitation or custody issues. You would need to contact an attorney with questions or concerns regarding these issues.

You do not have to pay child support if both parents are residing together. The parties would have to submit a Stipulation & Order to the Child Support Agency to end the order. If State Aid is being received on behalf of the child(ren), the other parent must be reported in the household to the Economic Support Worker before the Stipulation & Order would be approved.

If the parties are in agreement, a Stipulation & Order would need to be submitted to the Child Support Agency ending the child support order and changing placement. If the other party is not in agreement, you would need to file a motion with the Courts to change placement. Be advised that the Child Support Agency does NOT get involved with placement/visitation/custody issues.   You can find the Stipulation & Order online at the Family Courts page.

In most instances, both parents are court ordered to carry health insurance for the child(ren) if it’s offered through their employer at a reasonable cost. Please refer to your paternity judgment or divorce for further information.

A Stipulation & Order would need to be submitted to the Child Support Agency ending the child support order. If State Aid is being received on behalf of the child(ren), the other parent must be reported in the household to the Economic Support Worker before the Stipulation & Order would be approved. You can obtain a Stipulation & Order at the Family Court page.

If the parties are in agreement, a Stipulation & Order would need to be submitted to the Child Support Agency ending the child support order. If certain State Aid is being received, a child support order is required by law and ending your order will not be approved.

Placement and child support are separate issues. If either party is not following the court order, a motion can be filed to find the other party in Contempt. Be advised that the Child Support Agency does NOT get involved with placement, visitation or custody issues. You would need to contact an attorney with questions or concerns regarding these issues.

The Child Support Agency monitors the cases. When the account becomes delinquent (30 days past due), enforcement letters will be mailed to the payer. At the discretion of the agency, all other enforcement tools may be utilized including court action. If a hearing is scheduled, you will be notified by mail. You are not required to appear at these hearings, but it is highly recommended to appear if you can. For further information regarding enforcement, please refer to the website or contact your caseworker.