Quick answer: Connecticut calculates child support from net weekly income. Under the Child Support and Arrearage Guidelines revised effective August 1, 2026, both parents’ net weekly incomes are added, rounded to the nearest ten dollars and matched to the Schedule of Basic Child Support Obligations, which now runs from $150 to $6,000 of combined net weekly income for one to six children. Each parent’s percentage share of the combined income, rounded to a whole percentage, is applied to the basic obligation. A noncustodial parent whose own income falls in the darker shaded area is a low-income obligor and owes the dollar amount shown, without combining incomes. Above $6,000 the court decides case by case, with the $6,000 amount as the minimum presumptive obligation.
How the Connecticut guidelines work
- Net weekly income. Gross weekly income minus federal, state and local income taxes, Social Security and Medicare, health insurance premiums and the other deductions the regulation lists. See what income and deductions count.
- Low-income test. If the noncustodial parent’s income, rounded to ten dollars, is in the darker shaded area, the block’s dollar amount is the obligation. See what a low-income obligor pays.
- Combined income and the schedule. Otherwise the incomes are added, rounded to ten dollars and matched to the schedule.
- Shares. Each parent’s share of the combined income, rounded to a whole percentage, times the basic obligation, rounded to the nearest dollar.
- Components. Health care coverage and a child care contribution are added separately from current support.
The full walk-through, with a worked example, is in how Connecticut calculates child support.
What is new on August 1, 2026
The schedule now covers up to $6,000 of combined net weekly income, instead of $4,000. Above $6,000 the amount shown at the $6,000 level is the minimum presumptive support obligation, and the maximum is the combined net weekly income multiplied by the percentage shown at that level. The revision also adds a worksheet for cases with more than two legally recognized parents and updates the deduction rules. The calculator follows the regulation text posted on the Connecticut eRegulations System.
Child support across Connecticut
The guidelines apply to every child support award in the state, from Hartford, New Haven, Stamford, Bridgeport, Waterbury or Norwalk. A judge or family support magistrate may order a different amount only on a deviation criterion in section 46b-215a-5c and must explain the reasons on the worksheet. Shared physical custody and split custody have their own steps in the regulation.
Frequently asked questions
How is child support calculated in Connecticut?
Connecticut uses net weekly income. Both parents' net weekly incomes are added, matched to the Schedule of Basic Child Support Obligations for the number of children, and each parent pays his or her percentage share of the basic obligation. The noncustodial parent's share is the presumptive current support.
What changed in Connecticut child support on August 1, 2026?
The schedule was extended from $4,000 to $6,000 of combined net weekly income, a worksheet for more than two legally recognized parents was added, and the deduction and imputation rules were updated.
What happens above $6,000 of combined net weekly income in Connecticut?
Support is set case by case. The amount shown at the $6,000 level is the minimum presumptive obligation, and the maximum is the combined net weekly income multiplied by the percentage shown at the $6,000 level.
What is a low-income obligor in Connecticut?
A noncustodial parent whose own net weekly income, rounded to ten dollars, falls in the darker shaded area of the schedule. The dollar amount in that block is the basic obligation and the other parent's income is not used.
Does shared custody change Connecticut child support?
In shared physical custody the presumptive order is the presumptive support amount of the parent with the higher net weekly income, payable to the parent with the lower income, and the shared custody deviation can apply.