Child Support Enforcement Income Obligations

How This Program Helps

Child support services help children receive financial support from both parents. This support can help families stay stable and meet basic needs.

Once a child support obligation is established, Child Support usually issues an income-withholding order to the non-custodial parent’s employer to ensure the obligated amount is withheld by the employer. Some payments are exempt from garnishment by federal and state law.

Types of Cases

Operating under Title IV-D of the Social Security Act, Child Support handles two types of cases based on a family’s situation:

• Families receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) funding
• Families not receiving TANF (Non-TANF)

TANF and Non-TANF cases are further categorized as either with or without judicial or administrative support orders or obligations to pay support on a regular basis.

Data Notes

• TANF: cases receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) funding 
• Non-TANF: cases not receiving TANF funding

Data Sources

Automated Program to Enforce Child Support (APECS)