For single-parent families, child support from non-custodial parents is a critical way to reduce poverty. The Child Support Enforcement program (CSE) serves 16 million children as well as 22 million parents and caregivers each year. The program collects child support for families, establishes the legal relationship between children and their unmarried fathers, and helps children obtain health care coverage. Families receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) cash assistance or certain other benefits must participate in the child support program, while other families may apply for child support services. Any child is eligible for state child support services, regardless of income.
The Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP) submitted these comments pursuant to the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) that was published at 89 Fed. Reg. 47120 et seq., Friday, May 31, 2024.
Many fathers struggle to support their families, and programs that help alleviate poverty, promote responsible parenting, and undergird healthy families are often unavailable to “childless” adults.
Child support payments are a valuable source of support for children and custodial parents. Many low-income fathers desire to financially support their children, but are discouraged by unrealistic child support orders.
Child support paid by non-custodial parents can be an important part of an anti-poverty strategy but some poor children don’t receive any of the child support paid on their behalf. In more than half the states, when child support is paid on behalf of a family that…
For single-parent families, child support from non-custodial parents is a critical way to reduce poverty. The Child Support Enforcement program (CSE) serves 16 million children as well as 22 million parents and caregivers each year. A recent report from the Office of Child Support Enforcement (OCSE) highlights…
Elizabeth Lower-Basch presented at the Massachusetts Department of Revenue’s Child Support Enforcement Division statewide attorney meeting on how effective child support enforcement can alleviate child poverty.
CLASP submitted comments pursuant to the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking published by the Office of Child Support Enforcement in support of its commitment to treat child support as a vital element of economic security for low-income children and parents.