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Child Support in Maine

Child Support in Maine

Maine Child Support Guide for Single Mothers: Your Complete 2025 Handbook

Last updated: August 2025

If You Need Help Today

Emergency Situations:


  • Domestic violence: Call Maine Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-866-834-4357
  • Immediate legal help: Pine Tree Legal Assistance at 1-942-8322
  • Crisis assistance: 211 Maine (dial 2-1-1)
  • Emergency food: Good Shepherd Food Bank at 207-782-3554

Quick Action Steps:

  1. Apply for child support today: Call Maine DSER at 207-624-4100
  2. Get free legal help: Contact Pine Tree Legal Assistance
  3. Emergency financial assistance: Apply for TANF benefits
  4. Check case status: Use DSER Voice Response System

Main Points

✅ Maine uses the Income Shares Model – both parents’ incomes matter for calculations¹

✅ Application fee is $25 annually – waived if you receive TANF, SNAP, or MaineCare²

✅ TANF recipients get automatic child support services – no separate application needed³

✅ Support paid weekly on Fridays – available on ReliaCard or direct deposit⁴

✅ Support continues until age 18 – or 19 if still in high school⁵

✅ Very low income protection – if you earn under $16,800 annually, support capped at 10% of income⁶

Understanding Maine Child Support in 2025

What the Income Shares Model Means for You

Maine follows the “Income Shares Model,” which means that a judge will determine support by calculating how much each parent spent on the child while living together as a family. This number is then divided according to each parent’s income to come up with a final support amount.

Before Income Shares: Some states only looked at the paying parent’s income
Maine’s approach: Both parents’ incomes are combined, then support is divided proportionally

Real Example: If you earn $1,000 monthly and the other parent earns $3,000 monthly:

  • Combined income: $4,000 monthly
  • Your share: 25% ($1,000 ÷ $4,000)
  • Other parent’s share: 75% ($3,000 ÷ $4,000)
  • Support calculation: Other parent pays 75% of total support amount to you

For example, if parent A earns $600 per week and parent B earns $400 per week, parent A would be responsible for 60% of the support amount (600 divided by 1,000) and parent B for 40% of the support amount (400 divided by 1,000).

Who Can Apply for Maine Child Support in 2025

You can apply for child support services if you are:

  • A parent with physical custody of a child under 18
  • A legal guardian or caretaker with custody
  • Someone owed back support for a child now over 18 (within certain time limits)
  • Living in Maine or the other parent lives in Maine

Important: If you are receiving TANF, then you will automatically receive child support services. You don’t need to apply separately.

Reality Check: Even if you’ve never been married to the other parent, your child has the right to financial support. Unmarried parents can request assistance from the Division of Support Enforcement and Recovery (DSER) to establish paternity and secure child support.

How Much Maine Child Support Can You Actually Get?

2025 Maine Child Support Examples

Based on Maine’s Child Support Guidelines, here are weekly support amounts for different income levels:

Combined Weekly Income 1 Child 2 Children 3 Children
$500 $75 $109 $125
$750 $112 $163 $187
$1,000 $150 $218 $250
$1,250 $187 $272 $312
$1,500 $225 $327 $375

Important: These are total weekly support amounts that get divided between parents based on income percentage.

Real-World Calculation Example

Looking at a real example from Pine Tree Legal Assistance: “The mother’s total gross income for this year is $35,000. The father’s total gross income for this year is $35,000. There are three children who live with their mother during the week”.

The calculation:

  • Combined annual income: $70,000 ($35,000 + $35,000)
  • Combined weekly income: $1,346 ($70,000 ÷ 52)
  • Total weekly support for 3 children: $383
  • Each parent’s share: 50% because incomes are equal
  • Father pays to mother: $191.50 weekly (his 50% share)
  • Mother’s contribution: $191.50 (through direct care of children)

Special Situations and Adjustments

Very Low Income Protection: If your annual gross income is below $16,800 (the lowest figure on the chart), then your support obligation is capped at 10% of your income. If your gross annual income is below $16,800 (as of 2024), your basic support obligation is capped at 10% of your income.

Caring for Young Children: If you are not working because you are taking care of a child under the age of 2, the court will generally consider you to not be able to work. It will not make you pay child support.

Additional Expenses Added to Support:

  • Weekly childcare costs
  • Health insurance premiums for children
  • Extraordinary medical expenses not covered by insurance

How to Apply for Maine Child Support Step-by-Step

Step 1: Understand Your Situation

If you receive TANF: If you are receiving TANF, then you will automatically receive child support services. No separate application needed.

If you don’t receive TANF: You’ll need to apply through Maine’s Division of Support Enforcement and Recovery (DSER).

Step 2: Gather Required Documents

Before applying, collect these documents:

  • Child’s birth certificate (If your child was born in Maine: a copy of the birth certificate. If your child was born out of state: a certified copy of the birth certificate)
  • Your photo ID (driver’s license or state ID)
  • Income information (pay stubs, tax returns, benefits statements)
  • Information about the other parent:
    • Full legal name and any known aliases
    • Date of birth and Social Security number
    • Current and previous addresses
    • Employer information
    • Phone numbers and email addresses
  • Any existing court orders (divorce decrees, custody orders)

Step 3: Submit Your Application

Option 1: Phone Application

  • Call DSER at [207-624-4100]
  • Speak with Case Initiation Unit
  • They’ll walk you through the process

Option 2: Online Application

  • Submit a question through our online form on the DSER website
  • Complete required information electronically

Option 3: Mail Application

  • Download application from DSER website
  • Mail completed forms with required documents
  • Division of Support Enforcement & Recovery (DSER) 11 State House Station, 19 Union Street Augusta, Maine 04333

Step 4: Pay the Application Fee (If Required)

If you’ve never received TANF, you’ll pay a $25 annual fee for CSS.

You DON’T pay this fee if you currently receive:

  • TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families)
  • SNAP (food stamps)
  • MaineCare (Medicaid)

Reality Check: This is a small investment for potentially thousands of dollars in support annually. Don’t let the fee stop you from applying.

Step 5: Work with Your DSER Caseworker

Maine Child Support Services help with: Establishing paternity, Determining, collecting, and enforcing child support obligations, and Locating parents.

Your caseworker will:

  1. Review your case and contact you for additional information if needed
  2. Locate the other parent using state and federal databases
  3. Establish paternity if necessary through voluntary acknowledgment or genetic testing
  4. Work to establish a support order through administrative or court process
  5. Begin enforcement once an order is in place

Timeline Expectations:

  • Cooperative cases: 2-4 months
  • Cases requiring parent location: 4-8 months
  • Contested paternity cases: 6-12 months

Understanding Maine Child Support Fees and Payment Methods

Complete Fee Breakdown

Fee Type Amount When Charged Who Pays
Application Fee $25 annually For non-TANF recipients You
Genetic Testing $75-150 When paternity disputed Other parent initially
Income Withholding Small processing fee When wages garnished Other parent

How You’ll Receive Your Support Payments

Maine uses electronic payment methods for all child support:

Option 1: U.S. Bank ReliaCard

  • Prepaid Visa debit card (not credit card)
  • CSS will put the money on a U.S. Bank card for the obligee
  • No bank account required
  • Funds available within 2 business days

Services with NO fees:

  • Making purchases where Visa is accepted
  • Customer service calls
  • Monthly account maintenance
  • Balance inquiries

Option 2: Direct Deposit

  • Requires active checking or savings account
  • Fastest way to access your money
  • Alternatively, an obligor can pay support directly to the obligee through direct deposit, check or mobile payment apps like Venmo

Payment Schedule

Typically, support is paid weekly on Friday (and becomes available on Monday), but parents can agree to biweekly or monthly support payments.

Weekly payments are standard because:

  • More consistent cash flow for your household
  • Easier to track missed payments
  • Matches most people’s pay schedules

When Maine Child Support Payments Don’t Come: Enforcement Tools

What Maine DSER Can Do to Collect Support

In Maine, the Division of Support Enforcement & Recovery (DSER) was established to enforce state and federal laws regarding child support.

DSER’s enforcement tools include:

Enforcement Method How It Works Effectiveness
Income Withholding Money taken directly from paychecks Most effective for employed parents
Asset Seizure Collecting directly from bank accounts Very effective
License Suspension Revoking licenses or passports High compliance rate
Property Liens Putting liens on property Prevents property sales
Credit Reporting Reporting the child support debt to credit bureaus Long-term pressure
Tax Intercept Lottery winnings interception Seasonal effectiveness
Contempt of Court Court hearings that can lead to jail time Last resort

What You Can Do to Help Enforcement

  1. Keep detailed records of all missed or partial payments
  2. Report changes immediately – new jobs, addresses, assets
  3. Stay in contact with your caseworker monthly
  4. Use DSER Voice Response System at [800-371-7179] or [207-624-7830] to check case status
  5. Document inconsistencies – if they claim poverty but show wealth on social media

Reality Check: DSER may also have a heavy caseload, so recovering funds could take time. Don’t give up – persistence pays off.

When to Consider Private Legal Help

If that’s the case, parents may want to consider hiring a private attorney who can go to court and ask a judge to enforce a child support order.

Consider hiring a lawyer if:

  • DSER enforcement isn’t working after 6+ months
  • The other parent has significant assets DSER hasn’t accessed
  • Complex interstate or international issues arise
  • You need help with custody modification along with support

Special Situations and Inclusive Support

LGBTQ+ Single Mothers in Maine

Maine child support laws apply equally regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. Key considerations:

Same-sex couples who were married: Both parents listed on birth certificates or adoption papers may have support obligations.

Assisted reproduction cases: Legal parentage must be established before support can be ordered through:

  • Voluntary acknowledgment of parentage
  • Court determination of parental rights
  • Review of donor agreements

Discrimination concerns: If you face discrimination in the child support process, contact:

Tribal Communities and Native American Families

Tribal jurisdiction considerations: If either parent or the child has tribal membership, special jurisdictional rules may apply under the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA).

Passamaquoddy and Penobscot Nations: Maine has two federally recognized tribes. If you have tribal connections:

  • Contact tribal courts directly for jurisdiction questions
  • DSER can coordinate with tribal authorities when appropriate
  • Consult with tribal legal advocates familiar with both state and tribal law

Resources:

Rural Families with Limited Access

Transportation challenges to DSER offices:

  • Phone consultations available: Most DSER business can be handled by phone
  • Mail services: Documents can be submitted by mail
  • Video conferencing: Some offices offer virtual meetings

Internet access limitations:

  • Public libraries: Free computer and internet access in most towns
  • DSER phone support: [207-624-4100] to speak to a representative
  • Local town offices: Many can help with internet access for state services

Additional rural resources:

  • Maine 211: Dial 2-1-1 for local resource information
  • County extension offices: Family resource information
  • Community action programs: Transportation and utility assistance

Single Fathers Seeking Child Support

Single fathers have identical rights under Maine child support law. However, custodial fathers face unique statistical challenges:

  • Often receive less support than custodial mothers
  • May need to prove primary custody more thoroughly
  • Same application process and enforcement tools available

Resources for single fathers:

  • Maine Fathers’ Rights groups: Local support networks
  • Pine Tree Legal Assistance: Same services regardless of gender
  • DSER services: Identical for all custodial parents

Maine Organizations and Programs That Provide Support

Maine Division of Support Enforcement and Recovery (DSER)

What they do: DSER provides comprehensive services to help locate missing parents and collect overdue payments. Such enforcement measures are essential for maintaining the child’s financial stability. They handle all aspects of child support establishment and enforcement in Maine.

Services provided: Parent location using state and federal databases, paternity establishment through voluntary acknowledgment or genetic testing, support order creation and modification, comprehensive enforcement using multiple tools including wage withholding and asset seizure, and payment processing and distribution.

How to contact: The phone number to call the Maine child support agency is 207-624-4100 or 207-624-4168. Division of Support Enforcement & Recovery 19 Union Street 11 State House Station Augusta, ME 04333.

Application process: Parents can apply for child support services online or by downloading an application to submit by mail. TANF recipients automatically enrolled.

Pine Tree Legal Assistance

What they do: Pine Tree Legal Assistance (PTLA) is a civil legal aid organization – this means we help people with non-criminal legal issues solve their problems. Sometimes this looks like talking to you on the phone to give advice about a problem, and sometimes it means full representation by a lawyer in court.

Services provided: Free legal representation for low-income Maine residents, advice and consultation for child support issues, help with modification requests, assistance with enforcement problems, domestic violence legal advocacy, and extensive self-help resources including forms and guides.

Who qualifies: To figure out if we can help, we will need to ask you a lot of questions about income and family circumstances. Generally serves households at or below 125% of federal poverty guidelines.

How to contact: Call us at 942-8322 during our call-in hours: Mondays 12:00 pm – 2:30 pm, Tuesdays 9:00 am – 11:30 am, Thursdays 9:00 am – 11:30 am.

Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)

What they do: Maine DHHS administers multiple assistance programs for families, automatically referring TANF recipients to DSER for child support services. They provide comprehensive family support services coordinating with child support efforts.

Services provided: TANF is a monthly cash benefit and may also help with child care, transportation, or other things you need for work or school, SNAP food assistance, MaineCare health coverage, childcare assistance programs, and emergency assistance programs.

Who qualifies: Very low-income families with children at home can apply for TANF. Various income limits apply to different programs.

How to apply: You can: Visit your local DHHS office and apply in person. Call your local DHHS office and apply over the phone. Also available online through My Maine Connection portal.

Maine Women, Infants and Children (WIC)

What they do: WIC provides nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and food assistance for pregnant women, new mothers, and children under 5. Particularly valuable for single mothers managing both child support and basic nutrition needs.

Services provided: Monthly food packages with healthy foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and protein, nutrition education and counseling, breastfeeding support and equipment, and referrals to other health and social services.

Who qualifies: Pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and children under 5 with household income at or below 185% of federal poverty level (about $4,086/month for family of three in 2025).

How to contact: Call 1-800-437-9300 to find your local WIC office, or visit maine.gov/dhhs/mecdc/population-health/wic.

Common Questions Single Moms Ask About Maine Child Support

About Applying and Getting Started

Q: Do I need to be married to get child support in Maine? A: No. Unmarried parents can request assistance from the Division of Support Enforcement and Recovery (DSER) to establish paternity and secure child support. Marriage is not required for child support obligations.

Q: What if I don’t know where my child’s father is? A: DSER has extensive tools to locate parents including employment databases, tax records, motor vehicle registrations, and social media searches. Provide any information you have, even if it’s years old.

Q: I’m on TANF. Do I still need to apply for child support separately? A: No. If you are receiving TANF, then you will automatically receive child support services. DSER will automatically start working on your case.

Q: What if the father claims he can’t afford to pay? A: Even if you qualify for reduced payments, the court may impute higher income to you if it determines that you have the capacity to earn more—based on past employment, education, or available job opportunities. This applies to both parents.

About Calculations and Amounts

Q: How does my income affect what the other parent pays? A: Under Maine’s Income Shares Model, both incomes are combined first. Each parent will be responsible for a percentage of the total support obligation based on that parent’s income share. Higher-earning parents pay a larger percentage.

Q: Can I get support for past months before I applied? A: Yes, in some cases. Support orders can be retroactive to when you first applied or when the case was initiated, but you need to apply to start the process.

Q: What if I’m not working because I have a baby? A: If you are not working because you are taking care of a child under the age of 2, the court will generally consider you to not be able to work. It will not make you pay child support. You also won’t have income imputed to you.

Q: Is there a maximum amount of child support in Maine? A: Courts may deviate from the guidelines if there’s reason to. This is most common in cases of extraordinarily high income (combined annual income over $400,000). For very high incomes, courts have discretion to order additional support.

About Payments and Problems

Q: How long does it take to get my first payment? A: Timeline varies significantly:

  • Cooperative cases with income withholding: 4-8 weeks after order
  • Cases requiring parent location: 3-6 months
  • Contested paternity cases: 6-12 months
  • Interstate cases: 4-9 months

Q: What if the other parent quits their job to avoid paying? A: This is designed to frustrate the disgruntled parent who thinks he or she can just quit his or her jobs to avoid paying support. Courts can impute income based on earning capacity, and DSER has tools to track new employment.

Q: My child now spends more time with the other parent. Does this change support? A: Possibly. Where both parents provide “substantially equal care,” the child support calculation will be different. It is more complicated. If custody arrangements change significantly, you can request a modification.

Q: Can DSER help with custody or visitation issues? A: No. Child support services do NOT include: Legal advice, Divorce judgments or spousal support orders, Enforcing visitation rights, Collecting spousal support-only orders, Custody matters. Contact Pine Tree Legal Assistance or a private attorney for custody issues.

About Modifications and Changes

Q: How do I modify my child support order if circumstances change? A: Child support orders can be modified due to significant changes in circumstances, such as income changes. Parents may file a Motion to Modify form and request a review after three years without proving a substantial change.

Q: What if I disagree with the support amount ordered? A: You have the right to appeal within 30 days of the order. Contact Pine Tree Legal Assistance at 942-8322 for help with appeals.

Q: If I get married, does my new spouse’s income affect child support? A: The available income and financial contributions of a parent’s current spouse or partner generally don’t directly affect child support calculations, but new household members may be considered in some circumstances.

Complete Maine Child Support Resources and Contact Information

Maine DSER Main Contacts

Statewide Services:

Legal Help and Advocacy

Free Legal Services:

Domestic Violence Legal Support:

LGBTQ+ Legal Support:

Financial Assistance Programs

State Benefits:

Utility and Housing Assistance:

Emergency Help and Crisis Support

Immediate Safety:

  • Maine Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-866-834-4357
  • National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233
  • Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741
  • Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 988

Child Services:

Online Tools and Calculators

Official Maine Resources:

  • Maine Judicial Branch Forms: courts.maine.gov/courts/family
  • DSER Self-Calculating Worksheet: Available through DHHS website
  • Maine Child Support Guidelines: Available on Maine Judicial Branch website

Benefits Screening:

About This Guide

Compiled by the ASingleMother.org Editorial Team

The ASingleMother.org team has been researching and writing comprehensive benefits guides for single mothers across all 50 states since 2020. Our editorial team regularly updates these guides by reviewing official government sources, contacting state agencies, and incorporating feedback from hundreds of single mothers who have used these programs.

This Maine guide represents over 5 years of experience helping single mothers navigate the child support system. We verify information with official sources including Maine Department of Health and Human Services, Maine Division of Support Enforcement and Recovery, Maine Judicial Branch, Pine Tree Legal Assistance, USDA, and HHS to ensure accuracy.

Information compiled from official Maine Department of Health and Human Services, Maine Division of Support Enforcement and Recovery, Maine Judicial Branch, Pine Tree Legal Assistance, and federal sources. Last verified: August 2025.

The ASingleMother.org editorial team welcomes feedback on this guide. If you find outdated information or discover new resources, please contact us at info@asinglemother.org so we can help other single mothers with accurate, current information.

Disclaimer

This guide provides general information about Maine child support law and procedures as of August 2025. It is not legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Laws and program details can change, and individual situations vary significantly.

Always:

  • Verify current information with the Maine Division of Support Enforcement and Recovery at 207-624-4100
  • Consult with an attorney for legal advice specific to your unique situation
  • Keep detailed records of all communications, payments, and missed payments
  • Report changes in your circumstances to DSER promptly
  • Review your case regularly through the DSER Voice Response System at 800-371-7179

The information in this guide:

  • Is for educational purposes only and should not replace professional legal advice
  • May not apply to every individual situation or case
  • Is subject to change without notice as laws and regulations are updated
  • Should be verified with official sources before making legal or financial decisions

Limitation of liability: While we strive for accuracy, this guide cannot cover every possible scenario or exception to Maine child support law. For the most current information and case-specific guidance, always contact Maine DSER directly or consult with a qualified family law attorney.

For the most current information, contact Maine DSER at 207-624-4100 or visit maine.gov/dhhs/ofi/programs-services/child-support-services.

Footnotes and Sources

¹ Maine Revised Statutes Title 19-A, Chapter 63, Child Support Guidelines

² Maine DSER fee schedule and TANF automatic enrollment policy

³ Maine Department of Health and Human Services TANF child support coordination

⁴ Maine child support payment processing system

⁵ Maine Revised Statutes Title 19-A, § 1653 – Duration of support

⁶ Pine Tree Legal Assistance child support calculation guidance

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