Formal Definition
The Self-Support Reserve (SSR) is a minimum income protection limit set by Washington State to ensure a paying parent is not left impoverished after paying child support. In 2026, the SSR is approximately $2,394 (180% of the federal poverty level).
Real-World Application
“If a non-custodial parent earns $2,000 net income and their calculated child support is $800, paying it would leave them with only $1,200 (below the approximately $2,394 SSR). In this case, the court will likely deviate the payment downward to preserve their basic living needs.”