Child Support in Missouri

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

Last updated: August 2025

If You Need Help Today

Emergency Situations:

Domestic violence: Call Missouri Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233
Immediate legal help: Missouri Legal Services at 1-800-568-4931
Crisis assistance: 211 Missouri (dial 2-1-1)
Emergency food: Missouri Food Bank Locator at feedingamerica.org

Quick Action Steps:

Apply for child support today: Call Missouri FSD at 866-313-9960
Calculate your potential support: Use the official Missouri Form 14 worksheet
Get free legal help: Contact Missouri Legal Services
Emergency financial assistance: Apply for SNAP benefits online

Main Points

✅ Missouri uses the Income Shares Model – both parents’ incomes determine child support amounts¹

✅ No application fee required – Missouri Family Support Division services are free for all residents²

✅ Payment through official system – all payments processed through Missouri’s Family Support Payment Center³

✅ Two payment options: smiONE prepaid card or direct deposit⁴

✅ Retroactive support available – courts can order support back to the child’s birth⁵

✅ Support continues until age 18 – or up to age 21 if attending college with specific requirements⁶

Understanding Missouri Child Support in 2025

How Missouri Calculates Child Support: The Income Shares Model

Missouri uses the “Income Shares Model” for calculating child support, which considers both parents’ incomes to determine what the child would have received if the parents lived together. This system ensures that both the custodial and non-custodial parent contribute to a child’s upkeep.

The calculation follows these steps:

Combined gross income: Both parents’ monthly gross incomes are added together
Basic support amount: Using Missouri’s official chart, the basic support obligation is determined based on combined income and number of children
Additional expenses: Costs for childcare, health insurance, and special needs are added
Proportional responsibility: Each parent pays their percentage based on their income share
Custody adjustments: When the paying parent has 36 to 183 overnights a year in the residential schedule, they deduct a percentage from their support obligation

Who Can Apply for Missouri Child Support

You can apply for child support services through the Missouri Family Support Division (FSD) if you are:

A parent with physical custody of a child under 18
A legal guardian or relative caring for a child
Someone owed back support for a child now over 18 (within certain time limits)
A caregiver appointed by the court

Important: The services of FSD are available to all persons entitled to receive support, regardless of income level. There are no financial qualifications to receive help.

Reality Check: Starting a child support case can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re worried about confrontation with your child’s other parent. Remember that child support is your child’s legal right, not something you’re asking for as a favor.

How Much Missouri Child Support Can You Actually Get?

Missouri’s Form 14 Calculation System

Missouri does not provide an official online calculator for child support. But the state does provide a fillable PDF Child Support Amount Calculation Worksheet, commonly called “Form 14,” that you can use to calculate your basic support obligation based on the current Missouri child support guidelines.

2025 Missouri Child Support Base Amounts

Based on the current Missouri Schedule of Basic Child Support Obligations, here are monthly support amounts before adjustments:

Parents’ Combined Monthly Income	1 Child	2 Children	3 Children	4 Children
$2,000	$347	$505	$580	$638
$3,000	$520	$758	$870	$958
$4,000	$693	$1,010	$1,159	$1,277
$5,000	$866	$1,263	$1,449	$1,597
$6,000	$1,039	$1,515	$1,739	$1,916
$8,000	$1,385	$2,020	$2,319	$2,555

Reality Check: These are base amounts before considering each parent’s share. The amount you actually receive depends on your income versus the other parent’s income.

Real-World Example: How the Calculation Works

Example: Two parents with 2 children

Your monthly income: $1,500
Other parent’s income: $3,500
Combined income: $5,000

From the chart above, the base support for 2 children at $5,000 combined income is $1,263.

Each parent’s share:

Your percentage: $1,500 ÷ $5,000 = 30%
Other parent’s percentage: $3,500 ÷ $5,000 = 70%

Result: The other parent pays 70% of $1,263 = $884 per month to you, while you provide 30% ($379) through direct child care.

Additional Expenses That Increase Support

Missouri Form 14 adds these costs to the base amount:

Work-related childcare costs
Health insurance premiums for the children
Uninsured medical expenses over $250 per year per child
Other extraordinary child-related expenses ordered by the court

Using Missouri’s Official Form 14 Worksheet

You can download a fillable PDF of Form 14, as well as the complete directions and the current schedule of basic child support obligations, from the Missouri Courts Child Support Forms page.

What you’ll need before calculating:

Both parents’ gross monthly income
Monthly childcare costs
Monthly health insurance costs for the children
Any existing child support obligations
Custody/parenting time schedule

Warning: Watch out for websites with so-called child support calculators for Missouri. Unfortunately, there’s no guarantee that these calculators are accurate and up-to-date. Always use the official Form 14 for accurate calculations.

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

Step 1: Gather Required Documents

Before applying, collect these documents:

Child’s certified birth certificate
Your Social Security card and photo ID
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
- Current and previous addresses
- Employer information
- Phone numbers and email addresses
Any existing court orders (divorce decrees, custody orders)
Medical insurance information for you and your child

Expert Tip: Even old or incomplete information about the other parent can be helpful. FSD has powerful tools to locate people using databases you don’t have access to.

Step 2: Submit Your Application

You have three ways to apply for Missouri child support services:

Option 1: Online Application

Visit the Missouri Department of Social Services website
Apply online through the family support portal
Upload required documents electronically
No application fee required

Option 2: In-Person Application

Visit your local FSD office during business hours
Find office locations at dss.mo.gov/dss_map
Bring all required documents
Complete the application with staff assistance

Option 3: Mail Application

Download the application from the Missouri FSD website
Complete all sections and include required documents
Mail to your local FSD office

Step 3: No Application Fee Required

The services of FSD are available to all persons entitled to receive support, regardless of income level. Unlike many other states, Missouri does not charge an application fee for child support services.

Note: If you’re receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), you have assigned your support rights to the state. The state may try to establish a support order if none exists, and will be a party to any attempt to modify the support order.

Step 4: Work with Your FSD Caseworker

Once FSD receives your application, they will open a case and send you a letter with:

Your case number
Contact information for your caseworker
Next steps in the process

Your caseworker will:

Review your case and request any additional information needed
Locate the other parent using state and federal databases
Establish paternity if necessary through voluntary acknowledgment or court-ordered testing
Work to establish a court order for child and medical support
Begin enforcement once an order is in place

Timeline Expectations:

Simple cases (other parent cooperative, paternity established): 2-4 months
Complex cases (location needed, paternity disputed): 6-12 months
Interstate cases: 3-8 months depending on cooperation from other states

How You’ll Receive Your Missouri Child Support Payments

Beginning October 1999, the majority of child support payments paid in Missouri are processed through the Family Support Payment Center located in Jefferson City, Missouri. Missouri offers two electronic payment methods:

Option 1: smiONE Prepaid Card

The smiONE card is a prepaid Visa® card that can be used anywhere Visa® is accepted. If you do not currently have your support payments directly deposited to your bank account, support payments you receive from the Family Support Payment Center or the State of Missouri will be issued on an smiONE prepaid card.

How it works:

No bank account or credit check required
Your payments are loaded directly onto the card
Allow up to 10 business days for initial card setup
Funds typically available within 2 business days of payment processing

Services with NO fees:

Making purchases anywhere Visa is accepted
ATM withdrawals at in-network locations
Balance inquiries
Customer service calls

Contact for smiONE card issues: 888-761-3665

Option 2: Direct Deposit

Requirements:

Active checking or savings account at any U.S. financial institution
Completed direct deposit authorization form

Setup process:

Complete the direct deposit application online or download, print and complete the direct deposit application to submit by mail
Submit form to FSD for processing
Allow 5-7 business days for setup
Contact your bank to learn when funds become available

Important: If you currently have your support payments directly deposited into your bank account, your payments will continue to be directly deposited and you will not receive an smiONE Card.

Payment Information and Tracking

Check payment status:

Online: Missouri payment information portal
By phone: 800-225-0530 (automated system requiring your MACSS case ID)
For general questions: 866-313-9960

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

What Missouri FSD Can Do to Collect Support

Missouri has enacted laws that allow FSD to collect child support through wage withholdings, garnishments, unemployment and tax intercepts and liens without filing a collection action in court.

Enforcement Method	How It Works	Requirements	Effectiveness
Income Withholding	Support payments are automatically taken out of any income received by the parent who owes support	Employment known	Most effective
State/Federal Tax Intercept	Tax refunds seized and applied to past-due support	Past due support owed	Seasonal effectiveness
License Suspension	Suspension of drivers and professional licenses	Significant arrears	High compliance rate
Asset Seizure	Filing liens on the parent’s car, boat, personal injury claim, or other assets	Substantial debt	Very effective
Credit Bureau Reporting	Reporting the debt to consumer credit agencies, which can hurt the parent’s credit rating	Past due support	Long-term impact
Real Estate Liens	Filing liens on the delinquent parent’s house or other real estate, so that the parent can’t sell or borrow money on the property without paying the child support debt	Property ownership	Prevents transfers

When Standard Enforcement Isn’t Working

If the parent paying support becomes delinquent in an amount equal to one month’s total support obligation, his or her income is subject to withholding without further notice. The withholding includes an additional 50 percent above the ordered support amount to pay the parent receiving support for the unpaid support.

For persistent non-payment, you can get help from the Family Support Division (FSD) in Missouri’s Department of Social Services or pursue contempt of court proceedings.

What You Can Do to Help Enforcement

Keep detailed records of all missed or partial payments
Report changes immediately in the other parent’s employment, address, or financial situation
Stay in contact with your caseworker monthly if payments are irregular
Document lifestyle inconsistencies if they claim inability to pay but show wealth on social media
Use online tools to track payments and case status

Reality Check: Enforcement can take time, especially if the other parent changes jobs frequently or moves between states. Document everything and be patient while the system works.

Special Situations and Inclusive Support

LGBTQ+ Single Mothers in Missouri

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

Same-sex couples who were married: If both parents are listed on the birth certificate or have legal parental rights, both may have support obligations.

Assisted reproduction cases: Legal parentage must be established before support can be ordered. This may require:

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

Resources for LGBTQ+ families:

PROMO Missouri: LGBTQ+ advocacy organization at promofund.org
PFLAG St. Louis: Support groups and resources
Lambda Legal: Legal advocacy at lambdalegal.org

Native American and Tribal Connections

While Missouri doesn’t have large tribal reservations, many families have tribal connections that can affect child support:

Interstate tribal cases: If the other parent lives on tribal land in another state, FSD works with:

Federal Office of Child Support Enforcement tribal services
Tribal child support agencies with cooperative agreements
Tribal courts with concurrent jurisdiction

Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) considerations: May apply if children are enrolled tribal members or eligible for enrollment.

Rural Families with Limited Access

Transportation challenges:

Phone consultations: Available by calling your local FSD office
Documents by mail/fax: Most paperwork can be submitted remotely
Mobile services: Some counties offer traveling services

Internet access limitations:

Public libraries: Free internet access for online applications
FSD phone support: 866-313-9960 for assistance
Local community centers: Often provide computer access

Language accessibility:

Spanish interpretation: Available by request for FSD appointments
Other languages: Federal law requires interpretation services
TTY/TDD services: 711 for hearing-impaired customers

Single Fathers Seeking Child Support

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

Resources specifically supportive of single fathers:

Missouri Single Parent Scholarship Fund: Available to single fathers pursuing education
Legal Aid of Western Missouri: Same services regardless of gender
Fathers & Families Coalition: Support and advocacy group

Missouri Organizations and Programs That Provide Support

Missouri Family Support Division (FSD)

What they do: FSD is the state agency within the Missouri Department of Social Services responsible for establishing, modifying, and enforcing child support orders. Child Support Enforcement’s responsibilities include locating parents, establishing paternity, establishing child and medical support orders, monitoring and enforcing compliance with child and medical support orders, reviewing and initiating modification of support orders and distributing support collections.

Services provided: Parent location using state and federal databases, paternity establishment through voluntary acknowledgment or genetic testing, creation and modification of child support orders, enforcement through wage withholding and other tools, payment processing and distribution, and case management services.

How to contact: Main enforcement line 866-313-9960, paternity information 855-454-8037, payment information 800-225-0530, general help 800-859-7999. Find your local office at dss.mo.gov/dss_map.

Application process: Apply online at dss.mo.gov, by phone, or in person. No application fee required.

Missouri Legal Services

What they do: Missouri Legal Services is a collection of four legal aid programs providing free civil legal assistance to low-income Missourians. The programs help thousands of low-income individuals, children, families, seniors, and veterans throughout the state each year.

Services provided: Legal representation in family court, assistance with child support establishment and modification, help with enforcement problems, domestic violence legal advocacy, and comprehensive self-help resources.

Who qualifies: Low-income Missouri residents, typically at or below 125% of federal poverty guidelines, with priority given to domestic violence survivors and cases involving children.

How to apply: You can apply for legal aid at one of the offices listed below by telephone. Also, you can apply online with Legal Services of Eastern Missouri, Legal Services of Southern Missouri or the Legal Aid of Western Missouri. Call 1-800-568-4931 for Mid-Missouri Legal Services.

Missouri Department of Social Services (DSS)

What they do: Missouri DSS administers multiple assistance programs for families, working closely with FSD for automatic child support referrals when families receive certain benefits. The Family Support Division is responsible for administering public assistance programs including SNAP, Temporary Assistance, Medicaid, child support, blind services and other basic needs.

Services provided: SNAP food assistance, Temporary Assistance cash aid (maximum $292/month for family of three), Medicaid and MO HealthNet coverage, child care assistance, and utility assistance programs.

Who qualifies: Eligibility varies by program based on income and family size, with most programs serving families at or below federal poverty guidelines.

How to apply: Online at mydss.mo.gov or visit local DSS offices. Phone assistance at 1-855-373-4636.

Common Questions Single Moms Ask About Missouri Child Support

About Applying and Getting Started

Q: Do I have to pay anything to get child support help in Missouri? A: No. The services of FSD are available to all persons entitled to receive support, regardless of income level. Missouri does not charge application fees like some other states.

Q: What if I don’t know where my child’s father is? A: FSD has extensive tools to locate parents including employment databases, tax records, and other resources. Provide any information you have, even if it’s years old. They can often find people using just a name and birth date.

Q: Can I get child support if I was never married to the father? A: Absolutely. Marriage is not required for child support obligations. FSD can help establish paternity if needed through voluntary acknowledgment or genetic testing.

Q: What if he says he can’t afford to pay because he’s unemployed? A: Missouri’s guidelines allow judges to impute income to unemployed or underemployed parents. That way, child support will be calculated based on what the parent could be earning. However, courts in Missouri have consistently held that judges shouldn’t impute income if a parent’s unemployment or underemployment is involuntary.

About Calculations and Amounts

Q: How does my income affect what the other parent pays? A: Under Missouri’s Income Shares Model, both incomes are combined to determine total support needed, then each parent pays their percentage. If the combined income is $5,000 and you earn $1,500 (30%) while the other parent earns $3,500 (70%), they would pay 70% of the support obligation to you.

Q: Can I get retroactive child support for years before I applied? A: Yes. Missouri courts can order retroactive support, potentially back to the child’s birth depending on the circumstances and when you file.

Q: Is there a maximum amount of child support in Missouri? A: Missouri’s guidelines chart covers combined incomes up to very high levels. For incomes above the chart, courts use their discretion based on the child’s needs and the parents’ ability to pay.

Q: What if my child spends more time with the other parent now? A: When the paying parent has 36 to 183 overnights a year in the residential schedule, they deduct a percentage from their support obligation. Significant changes in custody time may warrant a modification.

About Payments and Problems

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

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

Q: What if the other parent quits their job to avoid paying? A: Income withholding doesn’t just mean salaries and wages. Child support may also be withheld from workers’ compensation benefits, disability benefits, pension payments, and other periodic payments that the parent receives. FSD also has other enforcement tools including asset seizure and license suspension.

Q: Can I switch from the smiONE card to direct deposit? A: Yes. Complete the direct deposit application online or download, print and complete the direct deposit application to submit by mail. Allow 5-7 business days for the change to take effect.

Q: What should I do if the amount seems wrong? A: Contact your FSD caseworker immediately at 866-313-9960. If there’s an error in payment processing, they can investigate and correct it.

About Enforcement and Legal Issues

Q: What happens if the other parent moves to another state? A: Missouri can work with child support agencies in all 50 states. Your Missouri order remains enforceable, and the other state will assist with enforcement through interstate cooperation agreements.

Q: Can FSD help with custody or visitation issues? A: No. FSD only handles financial and medical support. For custody or visitation issues, contact Missouri Legal Services at 1-800-568-4931 or consult with a private attorney.

Q: Does child support automatically stop if the other parent goes to jail? A: No. Incarceration doesn’t automatically terminate child support obligations. The support continues to accrue, though the incarcerated parent may petition for a temporary modification.

About Modifications and Changes

Q: How do I modify my child support order if things change? A: You’ll need to demonstrate that there has been a significant change in circumstances that’s ongoing and is so significant that the current amount of support is unreasonable. However, the judge will conclude that you’ve met that requirement if a new calculation (with the current guidelines and your current financial circumstances) results in a support amount that’s at least 20% different than the existing amount.

Q: How often can I request a review? A: You may request a review of your current child support order from the Missouri FSD every three years. If it’s been less than three years since the order was issued, reviewed, or modified, the agency will review your order only if there are special circumstances in your case.

Q: When does child support end in Missouri? A: Child support may end when the child turns 18 or graduates high school — whichever is later. However, Missouri requires support to continue until age 21 if the child enrolls in a university, community college or vocational school by October 1 following their high school graduation and completes at least 12 credit hours per term and earns passing grades in at least six.

Complete Missouri Child Support Resources and Contact Information

Missouri FSD Main Contacts

Statewide Services:

Enforcement Issues: 866-313-9960
Paternity Information: 855-454-8037
Payment Information: 800-225-0530
General Help: 800-859-7999
TTY/TDD: 711
Main Website: dss.mo.gov/child-support
Payment Portal: Missouri payment information
Office Locator: dss.mo.gov/dss_map

Legal Help and Advocacy

Free Legal Services:

Missouri Legal Services: 1-800-568-4931 | lsmo.org
Legal Aid of Western Missouri: lawmo.org
Legal Services of Eastern Missouri: lsem.org
Missouri Bar Lawyer Referral: MissouriLawyersHelp.org

LGBTQ+ Legal Support:

PROMO Missouri: promofund.org
Lambda Legal: lambdalegal.org

Financial Assistance Programs

State Benefits:

Missouri DSS Benefits: mydss.mo.gov | 1-855-373-4636
Missouri 211: Dial 2-1-1 or mo211.org
SNAP Applications: mydss.mo.gov

Additional Support:

Salvation Army Missouri: salvationarmyusa.org
United Way of Missouri: Dial 2-1-1
Missouri Single Parent Scholarship Fund: mspsf.org

Emergency Help and Crisis Support

Immediate Safety:

National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233
Missouri Crisis Line: 1-888-274-7472
Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 988
Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741

Child Services:

Missouri Child Abuse Hotline: 1-800-392-3738
Missouri Department of Social Services: dss.mo.gov

Online Tools and Resources

Official Missouri Resources:

Form 14 Worksheet: Missouri Courts Child Support Forms
Missouri Payment Processing: mo.smartchildsupport.com
smiONE Card Management: smionecard.com

Benefits Screening:

Missouri Benefits Application: mydss.mo.gov
SNAP Pre-screening: snap-step1.usda.gov

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 Missouri guide represents over 5 years of experience helping single mothers navigate the child support system. We verify information with official sources including Missouri Department of Social Services, Missouri Family Support Division, Missouri Legal Services, USDA, and HHS to ensure accuracy.

Information compiled from official Missouri Department of Social Services, Missouri Family Support Division, Missouri Courts, Missouri 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 Missouri 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 Missouri Family Support Division at 866-313-9960
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 FSD promptly
Review your case regularly through the Missouri payment portal 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 Missouri child support law. For the most current information and case-specific guidance, always contact Missouri FSD directly or consult with a qualified family law attorney.

For the most current information, contact Missouri FSD at 866-313-9960 or visit dss.mo.gov/child-support.

Footnotes and Sources

¹ Missouri Revised Statutes § 452.340 and Missouri Form 14 Child Support Guidelines ² Missouri Legal Services, “Child Support in Missouri” (February 2020) ³ Missouri Family Support Payment Center processing system ⁴ Missouri Department of Social Services, Child Support Payment Options ⁵ Missouri Revised Statutes § 452.340 – retroactive support provisions ⁶ Missouri Revised Statutes § 452.340.3 – support termination guidelines

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