can you get child support while owing child support

Short answer is "yes, probably."  The obligations are independent of one another.  It is unclear, however, which state issued the order(s) in quetion, and the law varies from state to state; in Nevada, the obligation "follows the child," so whoever actually has primary custody should be receiving the support owed for the child.  See the information posted at http://www.willicklawgroup.com/child-support/. If this is not sufficient, I suggest that you schedule a consultation with a family law specialist well versed in child support law, in whichever state is relevant.