Can you use child support/alimony as 'income' when renting a place to live?

[kay4]

This was (is) one of my big fears when deciding to leave and now that I have officially left.  Right now the children and I are in the marital home and H is elsewhere but I will not be able to refinance the home in my credit even if I was awarded it so I will need to rent somewhere.  I am currently looking for a job.  But having been a sahm for my entire marriage (17 yrs) it is rough.  Using the states child support calculator (which I know isn't exact but a general idea) I will be getting a decent amount of support.  And should get alimony.  Are you able to use this as income on a rental application? How does that all work? Do you need to be receiving it for awhile? Anything else I need to know?

Thank you!

[jaam]

I was able to use my cs as income, but I rented from a private party/individual rather than from a property management company or large apartment complex. I know on things like credit card app's, etc, you can list it but you don't have to and it says something like "list this income only if you want it considered for repayment purposes". 

It might just depend on the past experience of whoever you rent from, I would start asking around in your city. You may have to be able to prove that it's a reliable source of income, like if the cs/alimony will be directly deducted from his paycheck, I'm not sure.

Slightly off topic, but I think Colorado has an IDA program, I was just wishing I still lived there so I could use that because the state I'm in now doesn't. Might be worth looking into, depending on your circumstances. :)   http://cfed.org/programs/idas/directory_search/

[DesertFlower]

I do. I state how much I receive monthly, and what my anticipated working income will be.

[Goodmom2008]

Yes, it can even be used on loan applications, as well. 

[ILoveMyBabyBird]

This is one of my questions as well, right now H will be getting a short term appt, until further notice, I plan to return to school in the fall and should also get a decent amount from alimony/cs, enough to live on until alimony runs out in 2-3 years. Thanks for the info everyone.

[Phoenix~Mama]

I know of a few friends of mine who use their C/S and alimony as income for loans and mortgages.

[Super~Single~Mama]

List it IF it comes reliably and on time.  If it is not reliable, don't list it (because if you don't get it, you can't use it to pay rent, kwim?).

[Mom31]

I use it as income.

[kay4]

Thank you!