The District of Columbia calculates child support under D.C. Code § 16-916.01, using a hybrid income-shares approach that blends elements of a straight percentage model with an income-shares schedule. Shared custody kicks in a cross-credit once a parent has the children at least 35% of the time, and the self-support reserve is pegged to 133% of the federal poverty guideline rather than a flat dollar figure. This calculator’s schedule was checked cell-by-cell against both the enrolled act and the DC Attorney General’s own calculator across 23 test scenarios.
Key facts
| Model | Hybrid income shares — D.C. Code § 16-916.01 |
|---|---|
| Shared-custody threshold | 35% parenting time (×1.5 cross-credit) |
| Self-support reserve | 133% of the federal poverty guideline |
| Verification | Checked cell-by-cell against the enrolled act + the OAG’s own calculator (23 scenarios) |
Official source: https://csgc.oag.dc.gov/application/main/intro.aspx
Custody arrangements covered
- Standard custody
- Shared custody at or above 35% parenting time — 1.5× cross-credit applies
Frequently asked questions
What law governs child support in DC?
D.C. Code § 16-916.01, which applies a hybrid income-shares formula.
What custody threshold triggers a credit in DC?
35% parenting time — at or above that share, a 1.5× cross-credit applies to the calculation.
How is the DC self-support reserve set?
As 133% of the federal poverty guideline, rather than a fixed dollar amount, so it moves with the annual federal poverty figure.
How was this DC calculator verified?
Cell-by-cell against both the enrolled act and the DC Office of the Attorney General’s own calculator, across 23 test scenarios.
Update history
- — The District of Columbia went live under its hybrid income-shares guideline, with shared-custody credit at the 35% threshold and a self-support reserve at 133% of the poverty guideline. Verified cell-by-cell against the enrolled act and the Attorney General's own calculator.