Child Support Disregards

Definition

Child/Spousal support disregard payments are those payments received from an absent parent and issued to CalWORKs recipients through DCSS. Starting January 1, 2022, the maximum amount that can be disregarded for one child is $100 per month. For families with two or more children, the child support pass-through and disregard is increased to $200 per month.

Note: Child support disregards are counted as unearned income for CalFresh.

Issuance

A separate check will be issued for each month's disregard.

Multiple Assistance Units may be included in the same CalFresh household. Each Assistance Unit will be allowed a maximum disregard mentioned above. 

DCSS may issue payments for several month's disregards in a single month. The disregard for the “most recent month” is not exempt income in the month received. The other months' disregard payments are considered lump sum payments and treated as a resource.

SAR 7 Reporting

Semi-annual reporting households shall report the receipt of disregard payments on the SAR 7. However, since this information is in agency records, the SAR 7 shall still be considered complete without it.

Verification

Verification is required. Information provided by DCSS records shall be considered sufficient verification. “Direct Support and the State Disbursement Unit,” page 32-1 for complete information.]

NOAs

Timely notices of action are required when CalFresh benefits decrease due to budgeting disregard payments.