Child Support in Wisconsin

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

Last updated: August 2025

If You Need Help Today

Emergency situations

• Domestic violence: National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 (24/7, confidential) or visit the Wisconsin program directory via End Domestic Abuse Wisconsin for local shelters and advocates
• Crisis assistance and local resources: Call 211 or visit 211 Wisconsin to find emergency rent, food, utility help, and legal aid near you
• Legal help now: Legal Action of Wisconsin (southern/eastern counties) and Wisconsin Judicare (northern counties). If you can’t reach them, use the State Bar Lawyer Referral and Information Service
• Keep your address private: If you fear for safety, learn about Wisconsin Safe at Home (address confidentiality program) run by the Wisconsin Department of Justice
• Child abuse or immediate danger: Call 911

Quick action steps

1. Apply for child support today: Use Wisconsin Child Support Online Services (CSOS) at childsupport.wisconsin.gov or contact your county child support agency (find contacts via the federal agency directory for Wisconsin)
2. Find your local agency: County child support offices handle most steps—intake, paternity, orders, enforcement
3. See what the guidelines say: Wisconsin uses the Percentage of Income Standard under Wis. Admin. Code DCF 150 (official text)
4. Need benefits while you wait? Apply for FoodShare, W-2 cash assistance, and BadgerCare Plus at ACCESS Wisconsin

Main Points

• Wisconsin uses the Percentage of Income Standard (DCF 150), not Income Shares. Base guideline rates: 17% (one child), 25% (two), 29% (three), 31% (four), 34% (five or more), with adjustments for shared/split placement, low-income, high-income, and serial-family situations. Source: Wis. Admin. Code DCF 150
• Support usually runs until the child turns 18, or 19 if the child is still pursuing a high school diploma or its equivalent. Source: Wis. Stat. § 767.511(4)
• Shared placement matters. When each parent has the child at least 25% of overnights (about 92+ nights/year), Wisconsin uses a different shared-placement formula that typically lowers the transfer amount compared with sole placement. Source: DCF 150.04(2)
• Payments go through the Wisconsin Support Collections Trust Fund (WI SCTF). This protects your record and helps enforcement. Source: Wis. Stat. § 767.57
• How you get the money: direct deposit or a state-issued debit card. States must disburse within 2 business days after receipt, per federal rules. Sources: childsupport.wisconsin.gov and 45 CFR 302.32 (ACF/OCSE)
• Fees: There’s no application fee. A federally required annual 35feemayapplyifyouneverreceivedTANF/W−2cashassistanceandatleast35 fee may apply if you never received TANF/W-2 cash assistance and at least 35feemayapplyifyouneverreceivedTANF/W−2cashassistanceandatleast550 was collected for you that year; states generally deduct it from a support disbursement. Source: U.S. Office of Child Support Services (ACF/OCSE) annual fee guidance
• Enforcement is strong. Wisconsin uses income withholding, tax refund intercepts, license suspensions, liens, bank levies, passport denial (federal), and court remedies for willful nonpayment. Sources: Wis. Stat. § 767.75; § 49.857; ACF/OCSE enforcement overview
• You can ask for a review and possible modification when income or placement changes, or generally every three years. Source: DCF 150 (review/modification aligned with federal review cycles)

Reality check: Cases with easy-to-find parents and no disputes move faster. Interstate, self-employment, cash income, or safety concerns usually slow things down. Keep records, respond quickly to your agency, and use official channels for payments and communication.

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Wisconsin’s Child Support Basics (Plain-English Overview)

Wisconsin’s system is built around the Percentage of Income Standard. Unlike “Income Shares” states, Wisconsin starts from the paying parent’s gross income and applies a percentage based on the number of minor children, then adjusts for placement schedules and other factors set in Wis. Admin. Code DCF 150.

Official guideline text and definitions are in DCF 150. The court must apply these standards (or explain in writing why a different amount is appropriate for the child’s best interest).

Table 1 — Core Wisconsin Guideline Percentages (DCF 150)

Source: Wis. Admin. Code DCF 150.03

Adjustments that may apply (see DCF 150.04):

• Low-income payer schedule
• High-income payer schedule
• Serial-family adjustment (for a payer supporting children in more than one family)
• Shared-placement formula (each parent has the child at least 25% of overnights)
• Split-placement (each parent has at least one child as the primary home)

Links:

• Read the official Wisconsin child support rule (DCF 150): docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/code/admin_code/dcf/150
• See Wisconsin’s child support portal: childsupport.wisconsin.gov

What counts as “income” in Wisconsin

DCF 150 defines gross income broadly (wages, salary, overtime, commissions, bonuses, self-employment income, unemployment, certain benefits). Courts can consider actual earning capacity if someone is voluntarily underemployed. See DCF 150 and Wis. Stat. ch. 767.

Reality check: Overtime and bonuses can count. If pay is inconsistent, courts may average income over time.

Placement types that change the math

• Primary placement: One parent has more than 75% of overnights in a year. Base percentage applies, with other adjustments as needed.
• Shared placement: Each parent has the child at least 25% of overnights (about 92+ nights/year). The shared-placement formula reduces the transfer based on each parent’s share of time and income. Source: DCF 150.04(2)
• Split placement: Each parent is the primary home for at least one child. Each parent might owe support for the child(ren) living with the other; the amounts are offset. Source: DCF 150.04(3)
• Serial family: If the payer has a support duty to an earlier child, that obligation is considered before calculating a later order. Source: DCF 150.04(1)

Example: Shared-placement estimate (simple illustration)

Assume two children, each parent has 50% of overnights:

• Base rate for two children is 25% (DCF 150.03).
• The shared-placement formula adjusts for both parents’ incomes and time. With equal time, the higher earner typically pays a reduced transfer to the other parent compared to sole placement.
• The exact calculation follows DCF 150.04(2). Use your agency for a precise worksheet.

Tip: Ask your county child support worker to run the shared-placement worksheet from DCF 150 for your exact numbers.

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Applying for Child Support in Wisconsin: Step-by-Step

You can open a case whether or not you were married. You can apply even if the other parent lives out of state. County child support agencies run day-to-day services.

1. Gather documents

• Your photo ID
• Child’s birth certificate(s)
• Proof of your income (recent pay stubs, most recent tax return, benefits letters)
• Info about the other parent: full name, date of birth, last known address, employer, Social Security number if known, relatives, and any court orders
• Health insurance information for the child
• Any past orders for support or placement

2. Start your case

• Online: Use Child Support Online Services (CSOS): childsupport.wisconsin.gov
• Local office: Find your county child support agency through the federal agency directory (choose Wisconsin)
• If domestic violence is a concern: Tell your caseworker. Ask about safety planning and address confidentiality (Wisconsin Safe at Home)

3. Paternity (if needed)

• If you weren’t married when your child was born, the agency can help establish legal fatherhood via a Voluntary Paternity Acknowledgment or genetic testing. See Wis. Stat. § 767.80 (paternity actions)
• Hospitals can help with the Voluntary Paternity Acknowledgment at birth. Your county agency can also assist later

4. The support order

• The court (or family court commissioner) uses DCF 150 to set support
• The order may include medical support: who must carry health insurance or pay cash medical support. See Wis. Stat. § 767.513

5. Payment setup and reporting

• Income withholding is standard so payments come directly from the payer’s wages. See Wis. Stat. § 767.75
• All payments are processed through the Wisconsin Support Collections Trust Fund (WI SCTF). See Wis. Stat. § 767.57

6. Fees and costs

• No application fee
• Annual fee: Under federal law, an annual 35feemaybechargedwhenatleast35 fee may be charged when at least 35feemaybechargedwhenatleast550 is collected for a person who has never received TANF/W-2 cash assistance. States usually deduct it from a support disbursement. See ACF/OCSE annual fee overview

Reality check: Simple cases (cooperative parent, known employer) can move in weeks. Disputed paternity, self-employment, or interstate cases often take months. Respond to your agency quickly and keep copies of everything.

Table 2 — Application and Fee Snapshot

Note: For the most accurate agency-specific details (like testing logistics), contact your county child support office via the federal agency directory (Wisconsin section).

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Getting Your Payments: Timing and Options

Wisconsin disburses payments through WI SCTF, not directly from the other parent to you. This keeps an official record and helps with enforcement.

Payment methods

• Direct deposit: Into your bank or credit union account
• State debit card: A prepaid card you can use at ATMs or stores

Disbursement timelines

• Federal rules require disbursement within two business days after the state receives the payment, unless there’s a legal hold. Source: 45 CFR 302.32 (ACF/OCSE)

Important tips

• Always use official channels. Payments made by cash apps or directly to you may not count toward the official record unless they are routed through WI SCTF
• If you change addresses or bank accounts, update your information in Child Support Online Services (CSOS) quickly to avoid delays

Source links:

• Child Support Online Services (CSOS): childsupport.wisconsin.gov
• Disbursement standard: ACF/OCSE disbursement within two business days

Table 3 — Receiving Payments: Pros and Cons

Check your county agency or CSOS for the current debit card provider and any applicable fees.

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When Payments Don’t Come: Enforcement Tools in Wisconsin

County child support agencies and the court have strong tools to collect support. Many actions are automatic once certain thresholds are met.

Common enforcement methods

• Income withholding: Taken from paychecks or certain benefits. Source: Wis. Stat. § 767.75
• Tax refund intercepts: State and federal tax refunds can be seized to pay arrears (Wisconsin’s Tax Refund Intercept Program works with the Department of Revenue; federal intercepts run through the Treasury)
• License suspensions: Driver’s, professional, and recreational licenses can be suspended for nonpayment. Source: Wis. Stat. § 49.857
• Liens and levies: On bank accounts or property, consistent with state law and federal rules
• Credit bureau reporting: Arrears can be reported to major credit bureaus
• Passport denial: If past-due support meets federal thresholds (generally $2,500+), the U.S. State Department can deny a passport. Source: ACF/OCSE passport denial
• Court remedies: Contempt for willful nonpayment can lead to fines or jail in serious cases (see Wis. Stat. ch. 785 on contempt)

Your role in enforcement

• Keep a written log of missed or partial payments (dates, amounts)
• Share any new info on the other parent’s job, address, vehicles, or social media that shows work or income
• Use CSOS to monitor your case and make sure your contact info is current

Reality check: Self-employment, cash pay, and interstate moves complicate collections. Patience and steady documentation matter.

Table 4 — Enforcement at a Glance

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Modifying Your Order

You can request a change when things shift.

Common reasons to request review

• Your or the other parent’s income changes significantly
• Placement schedule changes meaningfully (for example, moving to or away from shared placement levels)
• Insurance or childcare costs change
• It’s been about three years since the last review (federal review cycle)

How to request

• Contact your county child support agency via CSOS or the federal agency directory (Wisconsin)
• If domestic violence is a concern, tell your worker and consider a safety plan (Wisconsin Safe at Home)

Legal standards

• Courts consider DCF 150 and Wis. Stat. ch. 767 when deciding if a modification is appropriate
• The court can deviate from standard amounts if it’s in the child’s best interest and the court explains why

Reality check: You’ll need proof—pay stubs, tax returns, childcare receipts, placement calendars. Without documentation, reviews stall.

Table 5 — Common Triggers and What to Gather

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Paternity and Birth Expenses

If you weren’t married when your child was born, legal fatherhood must be established before orders for support and medical support are entered.

Ways to establish paternity

• Voluntary Paternity Acknowledgment (VPA): Often done at the hospital or later through the county or vital records
• Genetic testing: If paternity is disputed, the court can order testing

Relevant law

• Paternity actions: Wis. Stat. § 767.80
• Court may address birth costs and support once paternity is established; consult your county agency or an attorney for specifics in your case

Tip: Establishing paternity early helps with health insurance enrollment, support, and important benefits like Social Security survivor or disability benefits for the child.

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Real-World Examples (How the math plays out)

Scenario A: One child, primary placement with Mom

• Dad earns $4,000/month gross; base rate is 17%
• Estimated support: 0.17 × 4,000 = $680/month
• Adjustments may apply (low/high-income schedules, other orders, etc.)

Scenario B: Two children, 50/50 shared placement

• Mom earns 3,000/month,Dadearns3,000/month, Dad earns 3,000/month,Dadearns5,000/month
• Base rate for two kids is 25%, but DCF 150.04(2) uses a shared-placement formula accounting for time and each parent’s income
• With equal time, the higher earner typically pays a reduced transfer compared to sole placement. Ask your worker to run the official worksheet

Note: These are rough illustrations. Courts use DCF 150 worksheets and evidence in your case.

Sources: Wis. Admin. Code DCF 150; Wis. Stat. ch. 767

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Practical Tips, Warnings, and Reality Checks

• Always pay and receive through WI SCTF. If you accept cash or app payments directly, they may not count toward the official record. See Wis. Stat. § 767.57
• Keep proof. Save every pay stub, letter, notice, and message related to your case
• Tell your worker about safety concerns. Ask about Safe at Home and how to keep your address off public records when possible
• Don’t ignore court mail. Missing a hearing can lead to default orders that are hard to change later
• If the other parent is self-employed: Enforcement is harder. Share any info about clients, business names, vehicles, or online listings that show activity
• If you move: Update CSOS and the post office. Returned mail can stall your case

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Inclusive Support

LGBTQ+ single mothers

• Wisconsin applies child support laws equally regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity
• In assisted reproduction or same-sex parenting, parentage must be legally established (birth certificate, adoption, or court judgment) before support can be ordered; see Wis. Stat. ch. 767
• If you face discrimination in accessing services, consider contacting Lambda Legal or the ACLU of Wisconsin. For case-specific parentage guidance, consult a family law attorney or your county child support agency

Resources:

• Lambda Legal
• ACLU of Wisconsin

Tribal-specific resources (Wisconsin)

Several Wisconsin tribes operate Tribal IV-D child support programs under federal law. If you or the other parent is a tribal member or the case involves Indian Country, services may be available through a tribal child support agency or the county, depending on the situation. Coordination between tribal and state programs is common.

• Find state and tribal child support agency contacts (including Wisconsin tribes) via the U.S. Office of Child Support Services: ACF/OCSE state and tribal contacts
• Courts must follow jurisdictional rules; ask your county or the relevant tribal agency which court should hear your case
• If ICWA or tribal enrollment issues overlap with custody/placement, seek legal advice promptly

Rural families with limited access

• Use CSOS (childsupport.wisconsin.gov) from a library or community center if home internet is limited
• Ask your county agency about phone or video appointments and mailed forms
• Transportation: Request morning or late-day hearing times if you rely on ride-shares or public transit. 211 Wisconsin can help locate transport assistance in some areas
• Language access: Agencies must provide interpreter services upon request. Let your worker know your preferred language ahead of time

Single fathers

• Single dads can open cases and receive enforcement services under the same rules as mothers. The guideline percentages and placement formulas are identical
• Many fathers’ cases involve shared placement or serial-family adjustments—ask your worker to apply DCF 150 correctly
• For legal help, contact Legal Action of Wisconsin or Wisconsin Judicare (eligibility limits apply)

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Common Questions Single Moms Ask (FAQs)

Q: Do I have to go through WI SCTF if we get along and he’s paying me directly?
A: Yes, use WI SCTF so payments are credited and enforceable. If you accept direct cash/app payments, they may not count toward the official record. Source: Wis. Stat. § 767.57

Q: What age does child support stop in Wisconsin?
A: Normally at 18, or until 19 if the child is still in high school (or working toward its equivalent). Source: Wis. Stat. § 767.511(4)

Q: How is support calculated if each of us has the kids close to 50/50?
A: Wisconsin applies a shared-placement formula when each parent has at least 25% of overnights. The formula considers both parents’ incomes and time. Ask your county worker to run the DCF 150 worksheet for your exact situation. Source: DCF 150.04(2)

Q: I don’t know where my child’s other parent is. Can the agency still help?
A: Yes. County agencies use state and federal locator tools. Give any information you have—old addresses, employers, relatives, social media. For out-of-state parents, your agency can work through interstate processes supported by federal OCSE

Q: I’m getting FoodShare and BadgerCare Plus. Will I be charged the annual 35fee?A:Thefederalannual35 fee? A: The federal annual 35fee?A:Thefederalannual35 fee generally applies to cases that have never received TANF/W-2 cash assistance after $550 is collected in a federal fiscal year. If you have or had W-2 cash assistance, the fee does not apply. Source: ACF/OCSE annual fee

Q: Can support be ordered back in time?
A: Courts can order support consistent with Wisconsin law once a case is filed and paternity is established if needed; they may also address certain birth expenses. Details depend on the facts and timing in your case. Talk with your county agency or a lawyer. See Wis. Stat. § 767.80 (paternity) and § 767.511 (support)

Q: How fast will I see money after it’s taken from the paycheck?
A: After the state receives the payment, federal rules require disbursement within two business days (unless there’s a legal hold). The employer’s remittance timing is governed by law and payroll cycles. Track deposits in CSOS. Source: 45 CFR 302.32

Q: My order is old and our circumstances changed. How do I adjust it?
A: Request a review through your county agency or consult an attorney. Major changes in income, placement, or costs may justify a modification. Reviews are commonly available about every three years as well. See DCF 150 and Wis. Stat. ch. 767

Q: Will my child’s father’s new child lower what he pays for our child?
A: Possibly. Wisconsin’s serial-family adjustment considers earlier and later support duties. The court follows DCF 150.04(1) to balance obligations

Q: Do I need a lawyer to open a case?
A: No. Your county child support agency can help you open and manage the case. For advice or contested hearings, free or low-cost legal help may be available through Legal Action of Wisconsin or Wisconsin Judicare (eligibility rules apply)

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Resources by Region (How to find the right office fast)

• Find a Wisconsin county child support office: Use the federal state and tribal contacts page (select Wisconsin), which lists current contact details for county child support agencies
• Statewide online services (CSOS): childsupport.wisconsin.gov
• Legal aid
  • Southern/eastern Wisconsin: Legal Action of Wisconsin
  • Northern Wisconsin: Wisconsin Judicare
• Statewide benefits portal: ACCESS Wisconsin (FoodShare, W-2, BadgerCare Plus)
• Safety and address confidentiality: Wisconsin Safe at Home (WI DOJ)
• General child support law and rules: Wis. Admin. Code DCF 150; Wisconsin Statutes ch. 767 (start with § 767.511, § 767.513, § 767.57, § 767.75)

Tip: 211 Wisconsin can connect you to county-specific family resources, shelters, and transportation options.

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Full Source List (official and well-established)

• Wisconsin Child Support Online Services (CSOS): childsupport.wisconsin.gov
• Wisconsin child support guideline rule (Percentage of Income Standard): Wis. Admin. Code DCF 150 — docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/code/admin_code/dcf/150
• Statutes
  • Support orders: Wis. Stat. § 767.511 — docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/statutes/statutes/767/511
  • Medical support: Wis. Stat. § 767.513 — docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/statutes/statutes/767/513
  • Disbursement/WI SCTF: Wis. Stat. § 767.57 — docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/statutes/statutes/767/57
  • Income withholding: Wis. Stat. § 767.75 — docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/statutes/statutes/767/75
  • License suspension for nonpayment: Wis. Stat. § 49.857 — docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/statutes/statutes/49/857
  • Paternity actions: Wis. Stat. § 767.80 — docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/statutes/statutes/767/80
• Federal child support information (U.S. Administration for Children & Families, Office of Child Support Services)
  • Annual $35 fee: ACF/OCSE annual fee overview
  • Disbursement within two business days: 45 CFR 302.32
  • State and tribal agency contacts (find Wisconsin county agencies): ACF/OCSE contacts
  • Passport denial program: ACF/OCSE passport denial
  • Enforcement tools overview: ACF/OCSE enforcement
• Wisconsin Safe at Home (Address Confidentiality Program): Wisconsin DOJ Safe at Home
• 211 Wisconsin: 211 Wisconsin
• Legal aid: Legal Action of Wisconsin; Wisconsin Judicare

Note: Use the links above to verify details that apply to your county and situation.

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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 Wisconsin guide represents over 5 years of experience helping single mothers navigate the child support system. We verify information with official sources including the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families, county child support agencies, the Wisconsin Courts, Legal Action of Wisconsin, Wisconsin Judicare, USDA, and HHS to ensure accuracy.

Information compiled from official Wisconsin Department of Children and Families publications, Wisconsin Child Support Online Services, Wisconsin Statutes and Administrative Code, Legal Action of Wisconsin, Wisconsin Judicare, 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.

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Disclaimer

This guide provides general information about Wisconsin 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 your county child support agency via Wisconsin CSOS (childsupport.wisconsin.gov) or the federal agency directory (Wisconsin)
• Consult with an attorney for legal advice specific to your situation
• Keep detailed records of all communications, payments, and missed payments
• Report changes in your circumstances to your agency promptly
• Review your case regularly through CSOS 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 scenario or exception to Wisconsin child support law. For the most current information and case-specific guidance, contact your county child support agency or consult with a qualified family law attorney.

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