Child Support Cooperation Requirements and Public Benefits Programs: An Overview


 

Publication Date: December 2005

Publisher: Center for Law and Social Policy

Author(s): Paula Roberts

Research Area: Social conditions

Type: Report

Coverage: United States

Abstract:

The TANF and Medicaid programs impose assignment and child support cooperation requirements on participating adults. The Food Stamp, SCHIP and child care programs may also contain child support cooperation requirements.

This paper examines the rules in each separate program and then describes what happens if an individual is subject to a cooperation requirement in more than one program. The author makes recommendations for streamlining the requirements and making sure that individuals who are subject to the requirement of more than one program are treated fairly.