One of the changes addressed how SSDI benefits intended for the children should be considered for the purpose of establishing child support when the parent receiving the benefit on behalf of the children does not have primary placement. This provision is intended to give a payer credit for the Social Security benefits his or her child is receiving that are directly attributable to the payer’s work history. If the parents share placement of the child/ren, each parent should receive a share of the child(ren)’s benefit that is proportionate to the time the child(ren) spends with that parent.
Emergency Rule
The emergency rule corrects s. DCF 150.03 (5) (b) 7., which applies to the determination of child support when the parents have shared placement and the payer receives the child’s SSDI benefits. The provision mistakenly states that the payer should pay either the “greater” of the amount determined under this section or the amount determined under a straight forward application of the percentage standard. The rule corrects this language to provide that the payer pay either the “lesser” of the amount determined under this section or the amount determined under a straight forward application of the percentage standard. Summary of Factual Data and Analytical Methodologies
The rule corrects a drafting error.
Summary of Related Federal Requirements
Wisconsin’s Percentage of Income Standard was created to comply with federal requirements in 45 CFR 302.56 (a) that require that as a condition of approval of its State plan, all states must establish one set of guidelines by law or by judicial or administrative action for setting and modifying child support award amounts within the State. The methodology to be used in calculating support orders is at state discretion. Comparison to Rules in Adjacent States
Iowa, Minnesota, and Michigan use an Income Shares Model to establish child support. Illinois uses a Percentage of Income Standard. The amount of support calculated under Wisconsin’s Percentage of Income Standard is consistent with that of neighboring states.
Effect on Small Business
The rule does not affect small businesses as defined in s. 227.114 (1), Stats. Analysis Used to Determine Effect on Small Business or in Preparation of Economic Impact Analysis
The rule revision applies to temporary and final orders for child support or family support of a marital or non-marital child in any action affecting the family under ch. 767, Stats., including stipulated child support settlements under s. 767.34, Stats. Agency Contact Person
Connie Chesnik, Attorney
Office of Legal Counsel
(608) 422-7040
Place Where Comments are to be Submitted
Comments may be submitted to Elaine Pridgen, Department of Children and Families, 201 E. Washington Avenue, P.O. Box 8916, Madison, WI, 53708-8916 or dcfpublichearing@wisconsin.gov. SECTION 1. DCF 150.03 (5) (b) 7. is amended to read:
DCF 150.03 (5) (b) 7. Offset the resulting amounts against each other. The parent with the greater child support obligation is the shared-placement payer. The shared-placement payer shall pay either the greater lesser of the amount determined in this subsection or the amount determined using the appropriate percentage standard under s. DCF 150.03 (1). SECTION 2. EFFECTIVE DATE. This rule shall take effect on November 8, 2018, under s. 227.27 (1) (c), Stats.
