What to Do if You Can’t Pay in Full This Month

Life happens—hours get cut, a car breaks down, or a commission falls through. If you can’t cover the full child support amount this month, act quickly and strategically to avoid long‑term damage.

Pay something now through official channels. Even a partial payment shows good faith and reduces arrears and interest. Use the SDU portal, not cash or peer‑to‑peer apps, unless your order allows them. Keep the receipt. Courts and agencies respond better to parents who keep money flowing than to those who go dark.

Tell the right people, the right way. Send a short message to your caseworker (and the other parent through the portal if appropriate): “I will pay $X on [date] and propose $Y/week for the next eight weeks to catch up. My hours were reduced; I’ve attached my last two paystubs.” This creates a documented plan. Avoid long explanations or blame—focus on dates, amounts, and proof.

Triage your budget. Cover essentials (housing, utilities, food, transportation to work) but carve out a line for support. Cut discretionary spending temporarily. If your order includes add‑on reimbursements this month, ask to structure them—e.g., $50/week for six weeks—rather than ignoring them. Put it in writing and meet the installments you propose.

Consider a short‑term payment plan. Many agencies and courts accept realistic plans when a parent is trying. Ask for automatic ACH or increased withholding next month to catch up. If your license is at risk, a signed plan and a down payment can often pause suspension. Get any agreement in writing and confirm it’s reflected in the agency ledger.

Don’t rely on side deals. Verbal agreements to “skip this month” often backfire; the SDU still shows a missed payment and interest accrues. If you and the other parent agree on a short‑term adjustment, ask the agency how to memorialize it or file a brief stipulation for the court to sign.

If income dropped for longer, move toward modification. If your hours were cut or you lost a job, gather proof (new schedule, layoff notice, applications) and consider filing to modify (see article 201). Modifications are usually retroactive to filing or service, not the date your income changed, so waiting costs you.

Avoid risky moves. Don’t quit a job to reduce support; courts can impute income. Don’t hide income or skip payments hoping to make it up later—arrears trigger tax intercepts, license suspensions, and contempt. Don’t post about purchases or vacations while claiming hardship; screenshots travel to court.

Follow up. After you make partial payments and propose a plan, stick to it and send proof. Calendar a review date to reassess once your hours stabilize. If you rebound quickly, make an extra payment toward arrears to restore cushion and credibility.

Bottom line. When you can’t pay in full, pay something, communicate with documents, and propose a realistic plan. One tough month doesn’t have to become a year of arrears if you respond quickly and transparently.