What the Basic Support Payment Covers
The Pennsylvania child support guidelines calculate a basic support amount intended to cover ordinary living expenses for the child. The payment goes to the custodial parent who determines how the money is applied to these categories:
- Housing: rent, mortgage, utilities, household maintenance
- Food: groceries, school lunches, meals
- Clothing: regular clothes, shoes, seasonal needs
- School supplies: backpacks, notebooks, basic materials
- Transportation: getting to school and activities
- Personal care: haircuts, toiletries, basic hygiene needs
- General recreational activities appropriate to the child's age
The paying parent does not receive an itemized accounting of how the support payment is spent. Once paid to PASCDU and disbursed, the custodial parent applies it to the child's needs. Demanding receipts is not a legal entitlement of the payor.
What Is Addressed Outside the Basic Support Amount
Allocated proportionally between parents based on their respective income shares. If one parent provides coverage, the cost is divided — added to or subtracted from the basic support calculation.
Co-pays, deductibles, prescriptions, glasses, dental work, therapy not covered by insurance. Typically split proportionally. The parent who pays first requests reimbursement for the other's share.
Daycare, after-school care, and summer care needed for a parent to work — allocated proportionally and added to the basic support obligation. Does not include babysitting for personal activities.
Not automatically included. Requires either agreement between the parents or a specific court order allocating the cost. Cannot be unilaterally imposed by one parent.
Extracurricular Activities and School Expenses
Who pays for activities?
The basic support payment is generally intended to cover ordinary recreational activities. Travel sports teams, elite training programs, and expensive activities are a separate conversation. The cleanest approach is a written agreement — either in the custody order or a separate document — specifying how activity costs are split and what requires advance agreement. An agreement that says "each parent pays for activities enrolled during their time" or "activities costs split 50/50 with both parents agreeing in advance" prevents disputes before they arise.
School expenses beyond basics
Basic school costs — supplies, lunch money, standard fees — are covered by support. Class trips, yearbooks, graduation costs, and similar one-time expenses are often split, either explicitly by agreement or from the support payment. College is a separate issue entirely — not part of child support, requiring its own agreement or court order.
When the other parent will not pay their share
For expenses specifically addressed in the support order (health insurance, medical, childcare), the mechanism is a contempt petition — enforcement is the same as for basic support. For extras not explicitly covered by the order, enforcement is significantly harder. Getting specific costs into a court order or written agreement upfront is always better than trying to compel payment after the fact.
If You Are Paying Support
- Support covers basic needs: you do not control how it is allocated within that
- You cannot withhold support because you believe the money is not being spent well
- You can buy additional items for the children during your own custody time
- Voluntary contributions to specific expenses are always permitted and often appreciated
If You Are Receiving Support
- Keep receipts for unreimbursed medical expenses and request reimbursement promptly
- Get any agreement about "extras" in writing: verbal understandings disappear
- Do not assume the other parent will contribute to activities — confirm it in advance and in writing