Last updated: May 20, 2026
Bottom line
In Montana, child support can be set by a District Court or through the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services Child Support Services Division, often called CSSD. CSSD can help locate a parent, establish paternity, set a financial and medical support order, collect payments, enforce unpaid support, and review an order for possible modification.
Start with the official Montana CSSD page or the online enrollment form. If you receive TANF, your information may already be referred to child support. If you do not receive public assistance, you can still apply for services.
This guide is general information, not legal advice. Child support can affect parenting plans, public benefits, safety, taxes, and court orders. For case-specific help, contact CSSD, a lawyer, the court self-help program, or Montana Legal Services.
If you need help today
Child support cases can take time. If you need food, housing, safety help, medical care, or help with bills right now, use emergency and local resources while your child support case moves forward.
- If you are in danger, call 911.
- For domestic or sexual violence referrals in Montana, contact the Montana coalition at 888-404-7794, or call the national hotline at 800-799-7233.
- For food, rent, utility, transportation, and local nonprofit referrals, dial 2-1-1 or use Montana 211.
- For SNAP, TANF, LIHEAP, and health coverage, use ApplyMT or call the public assistance helpline at 888-706-1535.
For more next-step help on this site, see emergency help, local resources, and safety help.
Where to start
You do not have an order
Apply with CSSD or file in District Court. CSSD can gather financial information, use the Montana guidelines, and issue a proposed child and medical support order through its administrative process.
The other parent is missing
Apply with CSSD and give as much information as you have. CSSD has parent-locate tools. Do not wait until you know every address, employer, or phone number.
You already have an order
Use CSSD for payment records, enforcement, and review for possible modification. Keep copies of the order, payment history, and any notices.
You have a safety concern
Tell CSSD and any court or legal aid office if sharing your address or case information could put you or your child at risk. Ask about safer contact options.
Montana child support quick reference
| Need | Start here | Reality check |
|---|---|---|
| Open a child support case | Use CSSD online enrollment or call 800-346-5437. | There is a $25 enrollment fee unless you receive certain Montana public assistance. |
| Find official forms | Use the CSSD forms page or Montana court forms. | Use current forms. Old worksheets may use old tables. |
| Estimate support | Use the official guidelines page. | An estimate is not the same as a signed order. |
| Track payments | Use the payment lookup or call CSSD. | Payments can take time to clear before distribution. |
| Change an order | Ask CSSD about order modification. | Review can take up to 180 days and sometimes longer. |
How to apply for child support services
CSSD services are available to either parent or to a third party who has the child living with them. CSSD says its services include locating parents, establishing paternity, establishing financial and medical support, enforcing support orders, and modifying support orders.
The fastest starting point for many families is the official CSSD enrollment form. You can save an unfinished enrollment for 60 days. A separate form is needed for each person you are seeking support from or paying support to. If you have court orders or payment records, upload or send copies with the enrollment.
Montana’s enrollment page says CSSD is required to charge a $25 enrollment fee for some people. No fee is charged if you receive Montana public assistance such as Medicaid, Healthy Montana Kids, SNAP, TANF cash assistance, a Child Care Grant, or Child and Family Services. Participation is checked by the state.
Safety note about case information
The online enrollment page warns that information given in a child support case may become part of the public record or may be shared. If release of your address, phone, or other case information could cause physical or emotional harm, tell CSSD right away. This matters if you have a protective order, restraining order, stalking concern, domestic violence history, or other safety concern.
If your family also needs food, cash help, health coverage, or child care help, use SNAP help, TANF cash help, Medicaid help, and child care help while the child support case is pending.
How Montana calculates child support
Montana does not use one flat percentage for every family. The District Court, CSSD, and the Office of Administrative Hearings must use the Montana Child Support Guidelines. The official guidelines consider both parents’ income and other factors, including the child’s needs, day care costs, medical needs, parenting plan, and support owed for other children or dependents.
The official guidelines page links to the current worksheet, financial affidavit, instructions, and the child support guideline tables. The state page lists the guideline tables as effective February 1, 2026. This is important because older articles and old worksheets may show old numbers.
In general, the worksheet looks at income, allowable deductions, each parent’s income available for support, the child support allowance, health insurance, recurring medical costs, child care costs, and parenting days. The result can change when a child spends more than 110 days per year with each parent or when children live mainly in different households. Use the worksheet instructions for the current details.
| Item | Why it matters | What to gather |
|---|---|---|
| Income | Both parents’ income is part of the guideline review. | Pay stubs, tax returns, benefit letters, self-employment records. |
| Child care | Work-related child care can affect the support amount. | Provider bills, receipts, subsidy notices. |
| Health coverage | Orders usually address medical support. | Insurance cost, policy details, available employer coverage. |
| Parenting time | The child’s schedule can affect the worksheet. | Parenting plan, school calendar, overnight or day records. |
| Existing orders | Other support orders may affect the calculation. | Copies of court or administrative orders. |
If you are using a calculator, treat it as a planning tool only. A signed court order or administrative order controls what must be paid.
Paternity and parentage
If the child’s legal parents are not already clear, paternity or parentage may need to be established before support can be ordered. CSSD’s paternity page lists several paths, including genetic testing, presumed paternity when a child is born during a marriage or within 300 days after a marriage ends, court adjudication, adoption, and voluntary paternity acknowledgment for unmarried parents.
Do not sign a paternity acknowledgment if you do not understand what it means. Ask CSSD, the hospital, a legal aid office, or a lawyer before signing if there is doubt, pressure, safety risk, or more than one possible parent.
Parenting time is separate from child support, but the two can affect each other. Montana courts use parenting plans to set where the child lives, who makes decisions, and how parenting time works. The court system has parenting plan forms and information for parents who need a court plan.
How payments are made and received
Montana CSSD issues payments electronically. The official payment page says parents receiving support may choose direct deposit to a personal bank account or a U.S. Bank ReliaCard after reviewing card disclosures. If direct deposit is not set up, payments automatically go to the ReliaCard.
You can use CSSD payment lookup or the phone system to check payments. The CSSD phone number for payment and case information is 800-346-5437.
| Payment issue | What to do | Keep this record |
|---|---|---|
| No payment yet | Check if there is a signed order and whether income withholding has started. | Order date, employer name, payment lookup screen. |
| Partial payment | Ask CSSD whether the other parent changed jobs, missed work, or has another withholding issue. | Each date and amount received. |
| Wrong balance | Ask for a payment history and compare it with your own records. | Receipts, bank deposits, CSSD history. |
| Card problem | Use the ReliaCard customer service information from CSSD. | Card notices and fee disclosures. |
If child support payments do not come
CSSD has enforcement tools, but enforcement is not instant. Montana’s enforcement page lists tools such as state and federal payment intercepts, credit bureau reporting, passport holds, license suspension, lottery winnings intercept, freeze and seize actions, property liens, and medical support enforcement. Income withholding is also a common way support is collected from wages.
Your job is to keep CSSD updated. Report new employer information, address changes, phone numbers, assets you know about, or a move to another state. Do not make threats or try to collect support in unsafe ways. Use CSSD, the court, or legal help.
If the other parent lives outside Montana, ask CSSD about intergovernmental services. Child support agencies can work across states, tribes, and some countries, but cases across borders can take more time.
Changing a child support order
Either parent or a caretaker may ask CSSD to review a support order for possible change. CSSD says you may ask for review if it has been at least 36 months since the order was entered or last reviewed. If you ask before 36 months, you must show a significant change of circumstances. CSSD gives examples such as a change in physical custody, changed day care or medical expenses, changed number of children, or at least a 30% change in one or both parents’ income.
The review does not happen overnight. CSSD says the usual review and adjustment process often takes no more than 180 days, but it can take longer or finish sooner depending on the case. It may take longer when service of notice is hard, a hearing is requested, or District Court involvement is needed.
Act quickly after a real income change
If you lose a job, your hours drop, child care costs change, the child moves, or health insurance changes, ask about modification as soon as possible. Do not just stop paying or stop tracking payments. Existing orders remain enforceable until changed by the proper office or court.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Using old 2025 amounts. Montana’s official guideline tables now list an effective date of February 1, 2026.
- Assuming CSSD is free for everyone. The enrollment page lists a $25 fee unless you receive certain Montana public assistance.
- Waiting for perfect information. Apply even if you do not know every detail about the other parent. Give what you know.
- Ignoring notices. Proposed orders and modification notices can have deadlines. Read every page.
- Relying on verbal promises. Keep payments through official channels when required and keep written records.
- Not raising safety concerns. Tell CSSD and legal aid if your address or case details need extra care.
If you are denied, delayed, ignored, or overwhelmed
First, contact your caseworker or the regional office working your case. CSSD’s contact page lists the statewide phone number, regional offices, fax number, mailing address, and general email. If you still cannot resolve a case concern that CSSD has power to address, the state has an administrative complaint process.
If the problem involves a court deadline, parenting plan, domestic violence, service of papers, or a hearing, contact legal help quickly. The Montana courts have child support forms, and Montana LawHelp has a child support library with legal information and forms.
For broader legal and safety issues, this site also has guides to legal help and child support help.
Backup options while you wait
Child support is important, but it is not a fast emergency program. If you are waiting for an order, paternity test, employer withholding, enforcement, or a modification, look at other help that may fit your household.
- Use rent help if you are behind on housing costs.
- Use housing help if you need longer-term housing options.
- Apply for SNAP, TANF, LIHEAP, and health coverage through ApplyMT.
- Ask 211 about food pantries, diaper banks, transportation help, utility help, and local charities.
- If you are working or in school, ask about Montana child care assistance.
Montana resources for child support and family help
- Montana CSSD: Start with the official child support agency for enrollment, payments, enforcement, modification, and office contacts.
- Montana courts: Use court forms when you need a parenting plan, dissolution with children, contempt filing, or judicial review.
- Montana LawHelp: Use plain-language legal information and links to forms before court or legal aid appointments.
- Montana Legal Services: Low-income Montanans may apply for free civil legal help. Availability depends on eligibility, case type, and capacity.
- ApplyMT: Apply for SNAP, TANF, LIHEAP, and health coverage if your household needs public benefits.
- Montana 211: Ask for local help with food, rent, utility bills, transportation, child care, and crisis referrals.
Phone scripts you can use
Calling CSSD to open a case
“Hi, I need help opening a Montana child support case. I have my child’s information and some information about the other parent. Can you tell me how to enroll, whether I owe the fee, and what documents I should send first?”
Calling about missed payments
“Hi, I am calling about my child support case. I have not received the expected payment. Can you check whether a payment was received, whether income withholding is active, and whether you need updated employer or address information from me?”
Calling about modification
“Hi, I need to ask if my order can be reviewed. My situation changed because [short reason]. Can you tell me whether I need a Request for Review packet and what proof I should include?”
Calling legal aid
“Hi, I need advice about a Montana child support or parenting plan issue. I have a court order or CSSD notice and a deadline may apply. Can you screen me for help or tell me the safest next step?”
Resumen en español
En Montana, la oficina CSSD puede ayudar con manutención de menores. Puede ayudar a encontrar al otro padre, establecer paternidad, crear una orden de manutención y seguro médico, cobrar pagos, hacer cumplir pagos atrasados y revisar una orden para posible cambio.
Si necesita ayuda rápida con comida, renta, servicios públicos o seguridad, llame al 2-1-1. Si hay violencia doméstica o peligro, llame al 911 si es una emergencia. También puede llamar a la línea nacional de violencia doméstica al 800-799-7233.
Guarde copias de órdenes, pagos, cartas, talones de pago, costos de cuidado infantil y seguro médico. Si tiene una fecha límite de la corte o una preocupación de seguridad, busque ayuda legal lo antes posible.
Frequently asked questions
Can Montana CSSD help if I was never married?
Yes. Marriage is not required to ask for child support services. If legal parentage is not already established, paternity or parentage may need to be handled first.
Does Montana charge to open a child support case?
Montana’s online enrollment page lists a $25 enrollment fee for some applicants. No fee is charged if you receive certain Montana public assistance, including Medicaid, Healthy Montana Kids, SNAP, TANF cash assistance, a Child Care Grant, or Child and Family Services.
Can I apply if I do not know where the other parent lives?
Yes. Give CSSD as much information as you can. CSSD provides parent-location services, but missing or old information can slow the case.
How does Montana decide the amount?
Montana uses official child support guidelines. The formula considers both parents’ income and other case details such as child care, medical support, and parenting time. Use the current 2026 tables and forms.
How are Montana child support payments received?
Payments are issued electronically by direct deposit or U.S. Bank ReliaCard. If direct deposit is not set up, payments automatically go to the ReliaCard.
What can CSSD do if the other parent does not pay?
CSSD may use enforcement tools such as income withholding, tax or payment intercepts, credit reporting, passport holds, license suspension, asset actions, liens, and medical support enforcement, depending on the case.
Can a Montana child support order be changed?
Yes. CSSD may review an order if it has been at least 36 months since entry or last review. A review before 36 months usually requires a significant change, such as changed custody, expenses, number of children, or income.
What if I am scared the other parent will find my address?
Tell CSSD, the court, and any legal aid office right away. Ask how your safety concern can be handled before you submit or serve paperwork.
About this guide
This guide uses official federal, state, local, and other high-trust nonprofit and community sources mentioned in the article.
A Single Mother is independent and is not a government agency, benefits office, lender, law firm, medical provider, or tax advisor.
Program rules, funding, local availability, and eligibility can change. Always confirm details with the official program before you apply or make decisions.
Verification: Last verified May 20, 2026, next review August 20, 2026.
Corrections: If you see something wrong or outdated, email suggestions@asinglemother.org.
Disclaimer: This article is for general information only. It is not legal, financial, medical, tax, immigration, disability, safety, or government-agency advice.