Child Support is financial support for the child. It can be used directly or indirectly. The parent receiving the support can use the child support for rent, food that is eaten by the rest of the family or car payments.
It is a mathematical formula based on both parents' income with additions for health insurance, work related daycare and extraordinary medical expenses.
The Court rarely deviates from the result of the formula.
If you have an order for child support and it is not being collected you have options. You can file for contempt against the person for not paying. If the court finds the person could pay but chose not to do so, you can get a judgment for the back amount. This judgment can be collected in various ways such as garnishment of wages or bank accounts.