LANSING - The Department of Human Services' Office of Child Support collected and distributed more than $705 million in Title IV-D child support owed to Michigan families during the first half of fiscal year 2007, an increase of $14 million over the same period in 2006.

"The importance of this money to families cannot be overstated," said Marilyn Stephen, director of the Office of Child Support. "The Office of Child Support, friends of the court and prosecutors will continue to make every effort to make sure families have the funds to buy the groceries and pay the bills." In the first six months, $643 million was paid directly to families in Michigan, $18 million was distributed to cover medical costs for children and $44 million was collected to reimburse taxpayers for public assistance provided to families. Another $18 million was distributed to families in other states whose child support case is under the jurisdiction of a Michigan court.

More than 90 percent child support payments are sent to families within 24 hours of receipt by the state. The rest is held as required by law or distributed once addresses for custodial parents can be found. Today, 57 percent of child support disbursements are deposited directly into customer bank accounts and almost 37percent are electronically deposited to customer debit cards. Fewer payments are delayed for lack of a current mailing address with electronic disbursement.

"The child support program provides vital services to Michigan families," DHS Director Marianne Udow said. "The program's performance in these times of diminished resources demonstrates our employees' commitment to those families. Making sure that vital services remain available will continue to be a priority for DHS."