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Using Child Support or Spousal Support as Income

This article explains how to use court-ordered support payments as income, which documents to provide, and how to submit them.

Written by Georges B.

What Counts as Court-Ordered Income

If you receive regular support payments, that money can be used as income on your rental application. This includes:

  • Child support

  • Spousal support or alimony

  • Other recurring payments you receive under a court order or a formal support agreement

Support payments need to be ongoing and received on a regular schedule to be counted as income. Informal arrangements that are not backed by a court order or written agreement usually cannot be counted — if that is your situation, contact us and we will talk through the alternatives.

What to Provide

The strongest submission shows both that the support is owed to you and that you are actually receiving it. Sending both from the start is the fastest route, though we will tell you if anything further is needed.

Proof the support is owed

  • The court order or divorce decree showing the support amount

  • A support order or payment schedule from your state or county child support agency

  • A signed, formal support agreement

Ideally this shows your name, the payment amount, and how often payments are made.

Proof you are receiving the payments

  • Recent bank statements showing the support deposits arriving in your account. Must be a full digital PDF downloaded directly from your bank’s website or app.

  • A bank connection — often the fastest option. Select “Link your bank account” in the Two Dots app.

  • A payment history or disbursement record from your state or county child support agency, downloaded from their portal.

How to Submit Your Documents

  1. Open your Two Dots application using the link we sent you, or go to app.twodots.com.

  2. Choose “Court ordered income” from the income selection screen.

  3. Select “Upload documents” and add what you have.

Document requirements

  • Upload original PDFs, downloaded directly from the court, agency, or your bank.

  • Do not open or re-save the file in another program before uploading it.

  • Please do not upload screenshots, scans, or photos — we are not able to verify those formats.

FAQs

Can I black out personal details before uploading?

Please upload the document unaltered. Edited or redacted files cannot be verified. If a document contains information you are concerned about sharing, contact us before uploading and we will advise.

What if payments are irregular or I missed some months?

Upload what you have. If support payments alone are not enough, you can add other income, or ask your leasing agent about adding a guarantor or co-applicant.

What if the payments go through my state agency rather than directly to me?

That is fine. Provide the payment history from the agency portal, or bank statements showing the deposits.

Need Help?

If you are not sure what to send, email applicant.support@twodots.net with your name and property and we will tell you what is outstanding.

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