PA Child Support Rules MAJOR Updates for 2026

On August 11, 2025, the changes to Pennsylvania Child Support Rules were released. These changes take effect on January 1, 2026.

They Represent Major Changes for Families in PA with regard to new and exisiting support cases.

A brief summary of these changes is below:

1. Updated Child Support Schedule (Rule 1910.16-3)

• New Basic Child Support Schedule with significantly updated amounts
• Support amounts generally increased across all income levels
• The schedule now reflects current economic data without the previous 30% custody assumption built in
• Example impact: For combined income of $5,000/month with 2 children:
  • Old schedule: $1,484
  • New schedule: $1,629 (approximately 10% increase)

2. Self-Support Reserve Increase (Rule 1910.16-2)

• Increased from $1,063 to $1,255 per month
• This is the minimum amount obligors must retain for basic needs
• Affects low-income support calculations significantly

3. High-Income Formula Updates (Rule 1910.16-3.1)

• Updated formulas for cases where combined income exceeds $30,000/month
• New base amounts:
  • One child: $3,749 (was $3,608)
  • Two children: $4,981 (was $4,250)
  • Three children: $5,803 (was $4,951)
  • Plus percentage increases for income above $30,000

4. Medical Documentation Changes (Rule 1910.29)

• "Physician Verification Form" replaced with "Advanced Practice Provider's Statement"
• Expanded to include physician's assistants, nurse practitioners, psychiatrists, and psychologists
• More detailed work capacity assessment categories
• Enhanced form requires specific work-related activity limitations

5. Terminology Updates Throughout

• "Apportionment" changed to "allocation" for expenses
• "Defaults" changed to "delinquent" for obligor status
• Various technical term standardizations

For Existing Cases:

• Modification opportunities: The new guidelines may constitute substantial change in circumstances
• Higher support amounts: Most existing orders calculated under old guidelines will likely increase
• Lower-income obligors: May see some relief due to higher self-support reserve

• Generally higher support obligations across most income levels
• More comprehensive medical evaluations if earning capacity is disputed
• Enhanced shared custody adjustments now that 30% assumption is removed from base schedule

• 1910.16-1 - Overview
• 1910.16-1 – Explanation of Income Shares Model
• 1910.16-2 – What is considered Income
• 1910.16-2 – Child Tax credit
• 1910.16-3 – Support Tables
• 1910.16-4 – Calculation of Income
• 1910.16-4 – Calculation of Support
• 1910.16-5 – Deviation
• 1910.16-6 – Expenses
• 1910.16-6 – Activities
• 1910.16-7 – Multiple Families