Illinois Child Support Payments

Providing for your children and balancing the budget to make ends meet is difficult for many families, but it is often even harder when the parents are estranged. Whether the court has ordered you to pay child support or you’re the parent receiving monthly child support payments, we’re here to help.

Regardless of which parent you are, it’s vital that you understand what child support covers and how people make their child support payments. The following guide will help you with this often-difficult process, providing details on the duration of the child support obligation, how to make payments, and more.

If you still have questions about your child support case, contact an Illinois child support or family law attorney. They can explain how the law applies to your unique case and help you decide what to do next.

How Long Do I Have to Pay Child Support in Illinois?

Obligors (parents paying child support) in Illinois are responsible for supporting their children financially until:

• The child turns 18 (or, if not yet graduated from high school, when they turn 19)
• The child marries, joins the military, or is emancipated via a court order

If the child has a mental or physical disability, child support obligations may continue for longer.

The courts can also require the non-custodial parent (NCP) to help pay for things like tuition, room and board, and transportation if the child goes to college or a trade school.

What Does Child Support Cover?

The Illinois child support guidelines don't indicate what specific items child support payments cover other than the following general expenses:

• Basics of daily living (food, shelter, clothing)
• Transportation
• An equitable portion of the child’s healthcare expenses

The obligor might be required to add their child to their employer-provided or group-based health insurance plan, if available.

The court may also issue a supplemental child support order covering other expenses such as:

• Costs related to a child's extracurricular activities (sports, music lessons, etc.)
• Childcare costs
• Education-related costs
• Out-of-pocket medical or dental expenses

In addition, a court may combine child support with spousal support, which the court calls unallocated family support.

How Do I Pay Child Support in Illinois?

The Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (Division of Child Support Services) provides several options for paying child support:

• Income Withholding: Most court orders require your employer to deduct your support payments from your paycheck automatically. Your employer will send the funds directly to the Illinois State Disbursement Unit (SDU).
• Travelers/Cashiers/Personal Check or Money Order: Send payment to Illinois State Disbursement Unit P.O. Box 5400 Carol Stream, IL 60197-5400
• Paying Online: There are two options for paying online. ExpertPay allows you to set up automatic payments from your savings or checking account. It requires registration and a one-time $2.50 fee. You can pay using your debit or credit card, such as Visa, Mastercard, or Discover, through e-childsPay. This also requires registration. There is no fee if you have an Illinois case number.
• Paying by Phone: You must call 1-866-645-6348 and register for this service. You can pay via Visa, MasterCard, or Discover.

How Will I Receive Child Support?

Custodial parents can receive child support payments in two ways:

• Direct deposit: The state deposits the funds directly into your checking or savings account
• IL Debit MasterCard: The state deposits funds directly into a separate checking account with its own debit card, which the obligee can access anywhere that accepts MasterCard

Check with the Illinois State Disbursement Unit (SDU) for details.

Paying or Receiving Child Support in Illinois? Get Professional Legal Help

Child support is crucial for custodial parents trying to provide for their children, but the process can be confusing. If you have questions or concerns about making or receiving child support payments in the state of Illinois, speak with an experienced Illinois child support attorney.