While the loss of a job may often affect the support obligation that one party has to pay to the other, there may be unique considerations in the time of a pandemic. Over the last several months of the COVID-19 crisis, more than 2 million Pennsylvanians have filed for unemployment compensation. With many people losing jobs or being furloughed, the ability to find a new job is almost impossible right now. As a result, job loss for those individuals who have support obligations is extremely stressful. The same is true for people who receive child support or spousal support as they rely on such support payments to pay their own bills.

Many companies such as those who service mortgages, student loans, and credit cards have suspended or deferred payments to assist consumers due to pandemic-related financial difficulties. However, the same is not true of support obligations. In fact, individuals who receive a stimulus check under the CARES Act will likely have those checks garnished to pay child support arrears. While this might seem counterintuitive to the purpose of a stimulus check, Pennsylvania places a high priority on reducing delinquent child support accounts and this is simply another way to decrease outstanding obligations.

  • Will courts assess individual earning capacity differently for COVID-19-related job loss?