Committee backs bill to let courts consider SSDI in child‑support calculations

Representative Toucher described HB 216 as a narrowly tailored change arising from a constituent case: unlike most states, Utah currently excludes SSDI from a parent’s gross income when calculating child support. The sponsor said that exclusion can produce outcomes where an individual receiving SSDI appears to have "zero income" for support calculations even when SSDI replaces wages.

HB 216 would place SSDI on the list of income items the court may consider when calculating child support while preserving judicial discretion to depart from presumptive calculations. The sponsor framed the bill as aligning Utah with the other states and giving judges accurate financial information to set equitable support.

A private citizen testified in support, calling the change "common sense." Representative Thompson moved that the committee favorably recommend HB 216; the committee approved the motion by roll call with unanimous support.