Child Support in Minnesota

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

Last updated: August 2025

If You Need Help Today

Emergency Situations:

Domestic violence: Call Minnesota Day One Crisis Hotline at 1-866-223-1111
Immediate legal help: Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services at 1-888-575-2954
Crisis assistance: 211 Minnesota (dial 2-1-1)
Emergency food: Second Harvest Heartland at 763-450-3860

Quick Action Steps:

Apply for child support today: Call Minnesota Child Support at 651-431-4400 or 800-657-3890
Calculate your potential support: Use the Minnesota Child Support Calculator
Get free legal help: Contact Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services
Emergency financial assistance: Apply for Emergency SNAP benefits

Main Points

✅ Major changes took effect January 1, 2023 – new guidelines based on updated economic data¹

✅ No more interest on past-due support – eliminated effective August 1, 2022²

✅ Updated self-support reserves – protects low-income parents from poverty³

✅ Income Shares Model – both parents’ incomes considered for fair calculations⁴

✅ Support continues until age 18 – or age 20 if still in high school⁵

✅ Free application available – no upfront fees for most single mothers⁶

Understanding Minnesota’s 2023 Child Support Changes

What Changed and Why It Matters to You

Effective January 1, 2023, Minnesota child support guidelines underwent various targeted changes that aim to have a large impact on child support awards. These updates represent the biggest overhaul to Minnesota child support in over 15 years.

The Major Changes:

Updated economic data: Child support calculations were based on 2007 U.S. Department of Agriculture poverty guidelines, which no longer reflects modern families’ economic realities and needs
Interest elimination: Eliminated interest on past due child support beginning on August 1, 2022
Self-support reserves: Increased protection for low-income parents
Modified arrears reporting: Starting January 2023, parents with past due child support may agree to a payment plan before their debt is reported to a credit agency

Reality Check: Those currently ordered to pay monthly child support will not automatically have their orders modified under the new guidelines. You need to request a modification if you want the new guidelines applied to your case.

Who Can Apply for Minnesota Child Support Services

Under Minnesota law, a child has the right to be financially supported by both parents. You can apply for child support services if you are:

A parent with physical custody of a child under 18 (or 20 if still in high school)
A legal guardian with custody
A relative caring for a child
Someone who has third-party custody of a child, such as a relative, may also ask the court to order one or both parents to pay child support

Important: You don’t need to be married to the other parent or have been married to them. Child support obligations exist regardless of marriage status.

How Much Minnesota Child Support Can You Get?

Minnesota’s Income Shares Model Explained

The current Minnesota child support guidelines, found in § 518A.35 of the Minnesota Statutes, took effect on January 1, 2023. Minnesota uses an Income Shares Model that considers both parents’ incomes to determine the total amount children need, then splits this responsibility based on each parent’s income percentage.

How the Calculation Works:

Determine each parent’s gross income from all sources
Calculate total family income by combining both incomes
Find the basic support amount using Minnesota’s guideline tables
Split the obligation based on each parent’s income percentage
Adjust for parenting time and additional expenses

2025 Minnesota Child Support Estimates

Based on the current guidelines, here are estimated monthly support amounts:

Combined Parental Income	1 Child	2 Children	3 Children	4 Children
$3,000	$649	$943	$1,081	$1,192
$4,000	$865	$1,257	$1,441	$1,588
$5,000	$1,081	$1,570	$1,801	$1,985
$6,000	$1,297	$1,884	$2,161	$2,382
$8,000	$1,729	$2,512	$2,881	$3,175
$10,000	$2,162	$3,140	$3,601	$3,969

Reality Check: These are total support amounts before splitting between parents. If you earn 20% of the combined income, you’re responsible for 20% of this amount through direct care, while the other parent pays 80%.

Real-World Example: How Income Affects Your Support

Example: You earn $2,000/month, other parent earns $3,000/month, you have 2 children

Combined income: $5,000/month
Total support needed: $1,570/month
Your percentage: 40% ($2,000 ÷ $5,000)
Other parent’s percentage: 60% ($3,000 ÷ $5,000)
Amount other parent pays you: $942/month
Your contribution through direct care: $628/month

Use the Official Minnesota Child Support Calculator

The Minnesota Child Support Division bases the Child Support Guidelines Calculator on the Minnesota child support guidelines statute in effect beginning Jan. 1, 2023. The official calculator is available at childsupportcalculator.dhs.state.mn.us.

What You’ll Need:

Both parents’ gross monthly income
Number of children needing support
Number of overnights per year you have with each child
Monthly childcare costs
Monthly health insurance costs for the children
Any existing support orders for other children

Important: The court has the authority to order child support. The calculator can estimate a basic support amount for six or fewer children.

How to Apply for Minnesota Child Support Services

Step 1: Gather Required Documents

Before applying, collect these documents:

Child’s certified birth certificate
Your photo ID (driver’s license or state ID)
Social Security cards for you and your children
Proof of income (3 recent 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 if known
- Current and previous addresses
- Employer information
- Phone numbers and email addresses

Step 2: Submit Your Application

Online Application: Visit mn.gov to apply online through the secure portal.

By Phone: Call the Minnesota Child Support line at:

Local: 651-431-4400 | Toll Free: 800-657-3890
Minnesota Relay: 711 for hearing impaired

In Person: Visit your local county child support office. Find locations at dcyf.mn.gov.

Step 3: Work with Your Caseworker

Once your application is processed, your caseworker will:

Locate the other parent if needed using state and federal databases
Establish paternity if necessary through voluntary acknowledgment or genetic testing
Calculate support amounts using current guidelines
Obtain a court order for child and medical support
Begin enforcement and collection services

Timeline Expectations:

Cooperative cases: 60-90 days
Location needed: 3-6 months
Contested paternity: 6-12 months
Interstate cases: 3-9 months

Understanding Minnesota Child Support Fees and Costs

Complete Fee Breakdown for 2025

Fee Type	Amount	When Charged	Who Pays
Application Fee	Free	N/A	Nobody
Cost Recovery Fee	Two percent (2%) of the amount of the support, collected monthly until the yearly maximum is reached	When support is collected	Custodial parent (if not on assistance)
Federal Annual Fee	$35 every year for eligible child support cases	Once yearly	Custodial parent (if case collects $550+ annually)
Income Withholding Fee	$15 fee for income withholding-only services	Monthly	Non-custodial parent

Cost Recovery Fee Examples

If the child support office collects $150 per month, the fee would be $3 per month. The amount sent to the parent would be $147.

For larger amounts:

$500 support collected = $10 monthly fee = you receive $490
$800 support collected = $16 monthly fee = you receive $784
$1,000 support collected = fee capped at yearly maximum

Who Doesn’t Pay Fees

If the parent who applied for services or the child living with them receives public assistance, the cost recovery fee is not charged until after public assistance ends.

No fees if you receive:

SNAP (food assistance)
Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP)
Medical Assistance
General Assistance
Childcare Assistance Program (CCAP)

How You’ll Receive Your Minnesota Child Support Payments

Payment Methods Available

Once a parent has applied for services, all child support payments must come through the Minnesota Child Support Payment Center.

Direct Deposit:

Fastest option – payments within 1-2 business days
Requires checking or savings account
No fees for this service
Set up through your caseworker

Stored Value Card:

Prepaid debit card option
No bank account needed
Parents receive support payments by direct deposit into a checking, savings or stored value card account

Payment Center Information

Mail payments to: Minnesota Child Support Payment Center, P.O. Box 64326, St. Paul, MN 55164-0326

Processing times: Payments received at the Child Support Payment Center on Friday, Saturday or Sunday are issued the following Monday. Payments received the day before state holidays are issued the next business day.

Track Your Payments Online

Parents can get up-to-the-minute information about payments online or by phone 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Online: Register at childsupport.dhs.state.mn.us Phone: 651-431-4340 Twin Cities metro area, 800-657-3512 outside the metro area

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

What Minnesota Can Do to Collect Support

The nonpayment of support may be enforced through the denial of student grants; interception of state and federal tax refunds; suspension of driver’s, recreational, and occupational licenses; referral to the Department of Revenue or private collection agencies; seizure of assets, including bank accounts and other assets held by financial institutions; reporting to credit bureaus; income withholding and contempt proceedings; and other enforcement methods allowed by law.

Enforcement Method	How It Works	Effectiveness
Income Withholding	Child support is taken directly out of a parent’s wages before they are paid by the employer, much like taxes are taken out of a paycheck by an employer	Most effective
Tax Intercept	State and federal refunds seized	Seasonal effectiveness
License Suspension	Driver’s, professional, recreational licenses suspended	High compliance rate
Credit Reporting	If a parent is three months behind in support, the Office of Child Support may report obligations that are past due to credit bureaus	Long-term impact
Asset Seizure	The child support agency matches information about parents that owe past child support with financial institutions’ data to try to find assets	Very effective when assets found

Criminal Penalties for Non-Payment

In Minnesota, not paying child support (knowingly and without an excuse) is a misdemeanor after 90 days and a felony after 180 days.

Reality Check: While criminal prosecution exists, it’s typically used as a last resort when other enforcement methods have failed.

The No-Interest Advantage

Minnesota no longer charges interest on past-due amounts. This is huge news for single mothers dealing with back support – every dollar collected goes toward reducing the actual debt, not interest charges.

Special Situations and Inclusive Support

LGBTQ+ Single Mothers in Minnesota

Minnesota child support laws apply equally regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. Minnesota has strong legal protections for LGBTQ+ families.

Same-sex married couples: Both spouses may have support obligations if both are legal parents through marriage, adoption, or assisted reproduction agreements.

Assisted reproduction considerations: Legal parentage must be established before support can be ordered. This may require court determination of parental rights.

Resources for LGBTQ+ families:

OutFront Minnesota: outfront.org | 651-822-0127
Family Equality Council: familyequality.org
Rainbow Families: Twin Cities support groups

Native American and Tribal Connections

County and Tribal Nation child support offices can assist in obtaining support orders, establishing parentage, enforcing existing orders, collecting payments and more.

Minnesota tribal child support offices:

Mille Lacs Band Child Support
White Earth Nation Child Support
Red Lake Nation Child Support
Fond du Lac Band Child Support

Interstate tribal cases: When the other parent lives on tribal land in another state, Minnesota works with tribal child support agencies and the federal Office of Tribal Services.

Rural Families with Limited Access

Transportation challenges:

Phone consultations available through your county office
Video conferencing options in some counties
Mobile outreach services in remote areas

Internet access limitations:

Public libraries offer free computer and internet access
County social services offices provide computer access
Phone support available at 800-657-3890

Language accessibility:

Spanish interpretation available by request
Other language interpretation services provided as needed
TTY services available through Minnesota Relay 711

Single Fathers Seeking Child Support

Single fathers have identical rights under Minnesota child support law. The application process, fees, and enforcement methods are the same regardless of gender.

Resources specific to single fathers:

Minnesota Fathers & Families Network: Support and advocacy
Single Father Network: Online community and resources
Legal Aid: Same free services available to all qualifying parents

Minnesota Organizations and Programs That Provide Support

Minnesota Department of Children, Youth & Families (Child Support Division)

What they do: Minnesota’s child support program benefits children by enforcing parental responsibility for their support. County and Tribal Nation child support offices can assist in obtaining support orders, establishing parentage, enforcing existing orders, collecting payments and more.

Services provided: Parent location using state and federal databases, paternity establishment through voluntary acknowledgment or genetic testing, court order establishment and modification, payment collection through various enforcement methods, and payment processing and distribution.

How to contact: Local: 651-431-4400 | Toll Free: 800-657-3890 | Minnesota Relay: 711

Online services: Register to use the secure website, Minnesota Child Support Online, to review and exchange information about your case at childsupport.dhs.state.mn.us.

Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services

What they do: Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services provides free civil legal services to low-income Minnesota residents, including comprehensive family law representation for child support, custody, domestic relations, and protective order cases.

Services provided: Legal representation in family court, advice and consultation for child support issues, assistance with modification requests, help with enforcement problems, domestic violence legal advocacy, and extensive online self-help resources.

Who qualifies: Households at or below 125% of federal poverty guidelines, with priority given to domestic violence survivors and cases involving children.

How to contact: Call 1-888-575-2954 for intake screening or visit smrls.org for online application.

Minnesota Department of Human Services (Assistance Programs)

What they do: Minnesota DHS administers multiple assistance programs for families, coordinating closely with child support services for automatic referrals when families receive certain benefits.

Services provided: SNAP food assistance, Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP) cash assistance, Medical Assistance health coverage, childcare assistance for working parents, housing assistance programs, and emergency assistance.

Who qualifies: Eligibility varies by program based on income, family size, and specific circumstances, with most programs serving families at or below 130-138% of federal poverty level.

How to apply: Online applications at applymn.dhs.mn.gov or call 651-431-4000.

Second Harvest Heartland

What they do: Second Harvest Heartland is Minnesota’s largest food bank, providing emergency food assistance and nutrition programs throughout the Twin Cities and beyond, serving families facing food insecurity.

Services provided: Emergency food distribution through food pantries, mobile food pantries serving rural areas, weekend backpack programs for children, senior food boxes, and holiday meal programs.

How to access: Find local food pantries through their website 2harvest.org or call 763-450-3860.

Common Questions Single Moms Ask About Minnesota Child Support

About Applying and Getting Started

Q: Do I need to hire a lawyer to get child support in Minnesota? A: No. Minnesota’s child support program provides free services to establish and collect support. You can apply directly through the state program without an attorney. However, if you have complex legal issues or face domestic violence, free legal aid is available through Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services.

Q: What if I don’t know where my child’s father is? A: Minnesota’s child support program has extensive tools to locate parents, including employment databases, tax records, financial institutions, motor vehicle records, and social media searches. Provide any information you have, even if it’s old – previous addresses, employers, relatives’ names, or social media profiles can all help.

Q: Can I get child support if we were never married? A: Yes. Marriage is not required for child support obligations. If paternity hasn’t been established, Minnesota can help through voluntary acknowledgment or genetic testing.

Q: What if he claims he can’t afford to pay anything? A: Minnesota courts can assign income based on earning capacity. If someone is voluntarily unemployed or underemployed, support can be based on what they could reasonably earn with their education, training, and work history. The court also considers Minnesota’s self-support reserve to ensure basic needs are met.

About the 2023 Guideline Changes

Q: I have an old child support order from before 2023. Can I get it updated under the new guidelines? A: Those who desire to have new child support orders issued under these guidelines must bring a modification motion and the newly calculated amount must be “at least 20 percent and at least $75 per month higher or lower than the current support order” for a court to issue a modification.

Q: I heard Minnesota eliminated interest on past-due support. Does this apply to my old debt? A: The 2021 legislation eliminated interest on past due child support beginning on August 1, 2022. Therefore, parents with interest accrued on past due child support prior to August 1, 2022 are still obliged to pay this interest. However, no new interest accumulates after August 1, 2022.

Q: What happens to payment plans under the new rules? A: Starting January 2023, parents with past due child support may agree to a payment plan before their debt is reported to a credit agency. This gives families more opportunity to work out arrangements before facing credit damage.

About Payments and Enforcement

Q: How long does it usually take to get my first payment? A: Timeline varies significantly based on your situation:

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

Q: What if my child spends more time with the other parent now than when we got the original order? A: Significant changes in parenting time can affect support calculations. If either parent has the child for substantially different overnights than originally ordered, you may petition for a modification. The judge plugs your number of overnights with your children in a year into a formula.

Q: Can I switch from the stored value card to direct deposit? A: Yes. Contact your caseworker to change your payment method. Direct deposit is typically faster and has no fees associated with it.

Q: What should I do if I receive a payment that seems wrong? A: Contact the Minnesota Child Support Payment Center immediately at the numbers provided above. Keep detailed records of all payments received, and report discrepancies quickly to ensure proper accounting.

About Enforcement and Legal Issues

Q: What if he quits his job to avoid paying child support? A: Minnesota has multiple enforcement tools beyond wage withholding. They can seize tax refunds, suspend licenses, report to credit bureaus, freeze bank accounts, and pursue contempt of court charges. Job changes must be reported to Minnesota’s New Hire Registry.

Q: Can the child support office help with custody or visitation issues? A: No. Child support offices only handle financial and medical support. For custody or visitation issues, contact a private attorney, legal aid, or file directly with the family court.

Q: What happens if the other parent moves to another state? A: Minnesota can work with child support agencies in all 50 states under the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act. Your Minnesota order remains enforceable, and other states will assist with enforcement.

Q: Does child support automatically stop when my child turns 18? A: Parents in Minnesota pay child support until their child turns 18 (or 20, if the child continues to attend high school). Support doesn’t automatically terminate – you may need to petition the court. Any past-due support remains owed even after the child ages out.

Complete Minnesota Child Support Resources and Contact Information

Minnesota Child Support Main Contacts

Statewide Services:

Main Child Support Line: Local: 651-431-4400 | Toll Free: 800-657-3890
Payment Information: 651-431-4340 Twin Cities metro area, 800-657-3512 outside the metro area
Minnesota Relay (TTY): 711
Online Case Management: childsupport.dhs.state.mn.us
Main Website: dcyf.mn.gov

Legal Help and Advocacy

Free Legal Services:

Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services: 1-888-575-2954 | smrls.org
Legal Aid Society of Minneapolis: 612-334-5970 | mylegalaid.org
Minnesota State Bar Association Lawyer Referral: 612-333-1183
Domestic Violence Legal Advocacy: Minnesota Coalition for Battered Women at 651-646-6177

LGBTQ+ Legal Support:

OutFront Minnesota: 651-822-0127 | outfront.org
National Center for Lesbian Rights: 1-800-528-6257 | nclrights.org

Financial Assistance Programs

State Benefits:

Minnesota Benefits Application: applymn.dhs.mn.gov | 651-431-4000
211 Minnesota (Local Resources): Dial 2-1-1 or 211mn.org
Emergency Food: Second Harvest Heartland | 763-450-3860
Energy Assistance: Minnesota Department of Commerce | 651-539-1500

Emergency Help:

Emergency SNAP: applymn.dhs.mn.gov
Emergency Cash Assistance: Contact county social services
Utility Shut-off Help: Energy Assistance Program

Emergency Help and Crisis Support

Immediate Safety:

Minnesota Day One Crisis Hotline: 1-866-223-1111
National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233
Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741
Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 988

Child Services:

Minnesota Child Protection: 651-431-4661
Mandated Reporting Hotline: 651-431-6600

Online Tools and Calculators

Official Minnesota Resources:

Child Support Calculator: childsupportcalculator.dhs.state.mn.us
Minnesota Court Forms: mncourts.gov
Minnesota Child Support Online: childsupport.dhs.state.mn.us

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 Minnesota guide represents over 5 years of experience helping single mothers navigate the child support system. We verify information with official sources including Minnesota Department of Children, Youth & Families, Minnesota Courts, Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services, USDA, and HHS to ensure accuracy.

Information compiled from official Minnesota Department of Children, Youth & Families, Minnesota Courts, Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services, 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 Minnesota 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 Minnesota Department of Children, Youth & Families at 651-431-4400
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 your caseworker promptly
Review your case regularly through Minnesota Child Support Online or by contacting your caseworker

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 Minnesota child support law. For the most current information and case-specific guidance, always contact Minnesota Child Support services directly or consult with a qualified family law attorney.

For the most current information, contact Minnesota Child Support at 651-431-4400 or visit dcyf.mn.gov.

Footnotes and Sources

¹ Minnesota Child Support Guidelines effective January 1, 2023 (Minnesota Statutes § 518A.35)
² Minnesota Journal of Law & Inequality, “Updated Minnesota Child Support Guidelines Starting January 1, 2023”
³ Minnesota Child Support Task Force findings, 2021 legislation
⁴ Minnesota Child Support Guidelines Calculator, Minnesota DHS
⁵ Minnesota Statutes § 518A.26, subdivision 7
⁶ Minnesota Department of Children, Youth & Families application process

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