March 12, 2008

The Michigan Child Support Program increased the amount collected by more than $16 million from fiscal year 2006, all while the number of child support workers decreased.

Administered by the Department of Human Services, the Child Support Program distributed about $1.4 billion in fiscal year 2007. Of that number, $1.28 billion went directly to Michigan families with over $37 million in medical support for children. In addition, federal and state governments were reimbursed $94 million for public assistance provided to families.

Over $408 million in past-due support was collected and distributed to families - an increase of $12 million over 2006.

"Looking at the overall collections, the numbers translate to each child support professional being responsible for collecting $596,760 in 2007," said Marilyn Stephen, director of the Office of Child Support. "Child support professionals - including friends of the court, prosecuting attorneys and DHS child support staff - continue to do an excellent job for Michigan families."

In addition to ensuring that employers withhold court-ordered child support payments from wages and send the money to the state for disbursement to families, other enforcement tools can be used to collect support. These may include:

• Revoking or denying passports for delinquent payers.
• Suspending or denying driver's, professional, or hunting licenses.
• Intercepting federal and state tax refunds.

As a last resort, local courts can take actions including issuance of bench warrants to compel delinquent payers to support their children.

"The child support program continues to make great strides in collecting monies due to families through the use of various enforcement methods," DHS Director Ismael Ahmed said. "Whether parents live together are not, they are both responsible for providing financial support that keeps their children out of poverty and helps them grow into healthy, productive adults."

For more information on the Michigan child support program, go to www.michigan.gov/childsupport