Support Enforcement

 

Every young man deserves to know the consequences

Every young man deserves to know the consequences he will face when he bears a child out of wedlock or divorces the mother of his children in the State of Washington.

In talking to teens, parents and teachers most know little or nothing about the real life consequences of Support Enforcement. It’s the term for child support under the Welfare Reform.

 

Without this primary prevention information being disseminated, how can a person be held responsible? Without advance notice, Support Enforcement is only punitive not a deterrent.

 

These consequences will fall on the mother if she is the non custodial parent.

 

 Why should a private contractor disseminate the information?

1)     Prevention efforts are not currently state supported

2)      Both Federal and local Support Enforcement agencies are unable to do prevention or awareness except to those who are already parenting. The restrictions are based on the federal legislation which funds the agencies. The following are the allowable purpose for the department:

¨      Paternity establishment.

¨      Child support order establishment and modification.

¨      Child support order enforcement.

¨      Payment processing through The Washington State Support Registry (WSSR).

3)     In terms of public relations, utilizing community agencies to deliver the message insulates Support Enforcement and TANF from delivering the “bad news”.

4)     This information is cost effectively presented to teens in one program in Washington State as part of a federal grant that will end soon. They have a network of organizations committed and capable of delivering this prevention strategy from welfare dependency.

 

The network of organizations is committed to delivering the message and can reach 80% of the state’s high school students over the next four years. They have the infrastructure and materials but need the state funding to reach the schools and pay for travel expenses.

 

http://www.guidelineeconomics.com/files/HouseWaysMeans_98Green8.htm

 

Did you know?

Support Enforcement can:

¨     Send regular billings for child support payments remembering that fees accrue until child finishes post secondary education but payments are due until the total amount is paid

¨     Send delinquency notices which makes you ineligible for college loans

¨     Assess support on current wages and raises as income increases (but unless court ordered the payment amount does not go down and is not waived while unemployed)

¨     Revoke various types of licenses (drivers', business, occupational, recreational)

¨     Attach non-earned funds payable to the non-custodial parent (extra money given for football camp fee)

¨     Attach settlements as the result of lawsuits

¨     Seize property held in safety deposit boxes

¨     File liens with county auditors where real or personal property is located.

¨     File liens against vehicles or vessels licensed with the Department of Licensing

¨     Seize vehicles or other personal property for sale at public auction

One example this week it’s a 1994 Cadillac Seville. There is an auction section for items taken from fathers. http://www1.dshs.wa.gov/dcs/

¨     Attach funds in financial institutions including retirement and stocks or bonds

¨     Seizure of State and Federal income tax refunds

¨     Attach lottery winnings, insurance settlements and inheritances

¨     Report past due amounts to credit agencies (but even owing support lowers your credit rating)

¨     Levy fines and other collection costs

¨     Charge you interest on the unpaid balance

¨     Withhold money from your paycheck, including unemployment compensation payments, disability, pensions not protected under federal law or second income earnings

¨     Garnishment of up to 50% of gross wages (IF the business doesn’t withhold it, they must pay the state or lose their business license)

¨     Refer cases for contempt of court action.

¨     Place you in jail; (fees continue to accrue while in jail) court proceedings are usually lengthy because of court backlogs, delays, and continuances. (Court costs/attorney fees are in addition to support payments)

¨     Post names to the DCS Most Wanted Internet site.  

¨     Refer cases to an Indian tribe for establishment or enforcement.

¨     Non-renewal of U.S. Passports

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