Child Support Enforcement Program Elements, Financial Issues, and Incentive Payment Policies

The Child Support Enforcement (CSE) program was enacted in 1975 as a federal-state program (Title IV-D of the Social Security Act) to help strengthen families by securing financial support for children from their non-custodial parent on a consistent and continuing basis and by helping some families to remain self-sufficient and off public assistance by providing the requisite CSE services. Over the years, CSE has evolved into a multifaceted program. While cost-recovery still remains an important function of the program, its other aspects include service delivery and promotion of self-sufficiency and parental responsibility. In FY2011, the CSE program collected $27.3 billion in child support payments and served nearly 15.8 million child support cases. However, the program still collects only 62% of current child support obligations for which it has responsibility and collects payments for only 57% of its caseload. This book examines the background, financial issues and incentive payment policies for the Child Support Enforcement Program.