Child Support Calculations in Connecticut

Connecticut calculates child support using the Income Shares model under Conn. Agencies Regs. § 46b-215a-2c, ensuring children receive the same proportion of parental income they would have enjoyed had the family remained intact. Whether you're navigating an uncontested or contested divorce, understanding Connecticut's unique weekly income approach and low-income obligor protections is essential.

The Income Shares Model

Connecticut's Income Shares approach uses net weekly income as the basis for calculations. The state publishes a Schedule of Basic Child Support Obligations in the Child Support and Arrearage Guidelines.

• Combined net weekly income cap: $4,000—above this, the court selects an amount between the schedule's dollar amount at $4,000 (minimum) and the percentage at $4,000 applied to actual income (maximum)
• Basic obligation covers: Housing, food, clothing, transportation, and ordinary child-related expenses
• Allocation: Each parent pays their proportional share based on percentage of combined net income

Key Schedule Percentages

Connecticut's schedule shows both percentages and dollar amounts for each combined income level. Key reference points:

• At $2,000/week combined: 1 child = 15.95% ($319); 2 children = 23.70% ($474)
• At $3,000/week combined: 1 child = 13.85% ($415); 2 children = 20.59% ($618)
• At $4,000/week combined (cap): 1 child = 12.04% (~$482); 2 children = 17.71% (~$708)

The percentages decrease as income rises, reflecting economies of scale and that child costs don't increase proportionally with income.

Calculating Net Weekly Income

Connecticut uses net (not gross) income. Start with gross income, then subtract allowable deductions:

• Gross income includes: Wages, salary, bonuses, commissions, self-employment earnings, benefits (workers' comp, unemployment, disability), pensions, rental income, Social Security
• Excluded: SSI payments, public assistance, EITC, support received for other children
• Allowable deductions: Federal/state/local taxes, Social Security/Medicare, mandatory union dues, court-ordered alimony/support for others, parent's own health insurance premiums

SSI interaction: When a parent receives both SSI and Social Security, only $5/week of the Social Security is included to avoid double-counting.

Low-Income Obligor Protections

Connecticut protects low-income obligors through a darker-shaded band in the schedule (up to approximately $290/week net income). When the noncustodial parent falls in this band:

• The dollar amount in that schedule block becomes the basic obligation
• The other parent's income is not used in calculating the basic obligation
• Special rules apply for childcare (20% of costs or capped at 50%)
• Unreimbursed medical share capped at lesser of percentage share or 50%

This approach replaced older self-support reserve formulas and preserves work incentives while requiring realistic contributions.

Estimate Your Connecticut Child Support

Use our calculator below for an estimate. Note that Connecticut does not provide an official online calculator—the official CCSG-1 worksheet must be completed manually using weekly amounts.

Shared Physical Custody

Connecticut intentionally avoids mechanical overnight-counting formulas. "Shared physical custody" means substantially equal time and contact with both parents—exact 50/50 is not required.

• Presumptive order: Higher-income parent's presumptive amount payable to lower-income parent
• Deviation: Only if the arrangement materially affects child-related expenses and sufficient funds remain for the child's needs
• No automatic per-overnight credit: Focus remains on the child's best interests and equitable cost allocation

Split Custody Calculations

When each parent has primary physical residence of at least one child:

• Calculate each parent's theoretical obligation to the other
• Subtract the smaller from the larger
• The parent with the larger theoretical amount pays the net difference

Add-Ons: Health Coverage and Childcare

Every Connecticut child support order must address:

• Health insurance: Court may order either parent to provide coverage when available at reasonable cost
• Cash medical support: When insurance isn't available or adequate
• Unreimbursed medical: Allocated by percentage of combined net disposable income (N.D.I.)
• Work-related childcare: Noncustodial parent pays their N.D.I. percentage of qualifying costs

55% cap: Connecticut caps the total child support award at 55% of the obligor's net income. If exceeded, courts may reduce components other than current support.

Deviation Criteria

Courts may deviate from presumptive amounts with specific findings that the amount would be inequitable. Listed criteria include:

• Substantial assets or earning capacity
• Extraordinary child expenses (education, medical, special needs)
• Significant visitation travel expenses
• Needs of other dependents
• Coordination with property division and alimony
• Shared physical custody arrangements
• Extraordinary income disparity between parents
• Best interests of the child

Duration of Support

Under CGS § 46b-84:

• Standard termination: Age 18
• High school extension: Until graduation or age 19 if the child is a full-time high school student living with a parent
• Educational support orders: Separate orders for college/vocational training up to age 23 (tuition capped at UConn in-state rates unless agreed otherwise)
• Disabled adult children: Support may continue to age 26 for orders entered on or after October 1, 2023 (previously age 21)

Modification Requirements

Under CGS § 46b-86:

• 15% presumption: A deviation of 15% or more from the guidelines is presumed substantial
• Less than 15%: Presumed not substantial (but may still qualify with other evidence)
• No retroactive modification: Changes apply only from service of the motion
• Three-year review cycle: IV-D cases may request review; TANF cases reviewed automatically every three years

Arrears and Interest

Connecticut's arrearage payment rules:

• General rule: Weekly arrearage payment equals lesser of 20% of current support or 55% of net income minus current support
• Low-income: Greater of 10% of current support or $1/week
• Interest: Not automatic—courts may award discretionary interest up to 10%/year under CGS § 37-3a, but frequently do not

Enforcement Tools

Connecticut enforces support through Support Enforcement Services (SES) and OCSS:

• Income withholding: Primary collection mechanism for wages, unemployment, pensions
• Tax intercepts: State and federal refunds
• Financial institution seizures: Bank account levies for $500+ arrears
• License suspension: Driver's, professional, and recreational licenses when 90 days delinquent
• Passport denial: For qualifying federal arrears
• Credit reporting: Arrears reported to credit bureaus
• Contempt: May result in purge payments and incarceration

Key Takeaways

• Income Shares model: Uses net weekly income under Conn. Agencies Regs. § 46b-215a
• $4,000/week cap: High-income cases fall within a presumptive range
• Low-income band: ~$290/week net income threshold with special protections
• No overnight formula: Shared custody adjustments only by deviation
• 55% cap: Total award cannot exceed 55% of obligor's net income
• 15% modification presumption: Changes of 15%+ presumed substantial
• No automatic interest: Discretionary, often not ordered
• Support to 18/19: Extended for high school students; educational orders to 23

For more information about Connecticut divorce processes, see our Connecticut divorce timeline and filing checklist. For property division information, review our Connecticut marital property guide.