The Japanese have a term, kenzoku, which translated literally means family.. The connotation suggests a bond between people who've made a similar commitment and who possibly therefore share a similar destiny.
The laws in different states vary on whether a stepparent in this situation may have child custody rights or pay child support. In some states and situations, the stepparent may be ordered to pay child support if the stepparent loses primary physical custody of the child.
Parents who get SSI cannot be forced to pay child support. Parents who get SSD might be ordered to pay child support. Sometimes the SSD payments that the child receives from the parent can count as the child support payment. SSI is a government benefit paid to the elderly and disabled. It is for people who have not earned enough in the past to get Social Security Disability (SSD). SSI pays a set monthly amount. This amount is $674 per month in 2009. If a parent's only income is SSI, that parent cannot be forced to pay child support.