Child Support Enforcement (CSE) is a federal, state, private, and county operation providing child support services including: paternity establishment, support orders, modifications, and enforcement through the state and contractors (see provider list, page 61). The CSE program provides support services for two types of cases:
Public Assistance
When a child's custodian applies for Temporary Assistance for Families (TAF) benefits, the child's support rights are assigned to the state. Any support collected is used to reimburse the state and federal government for the assistance provided to the child's family. In state fiscal year 2006, $28.4 million was reimbursed. When public assistance ends, child support enforcement services continue to be provided through the non-public assistance program. In state fiscal year 2006, over 3,890 families received child support in the month they left the public assistance rolls. Support collected generally goes directly to the family in this circumstance.
A SUCCESS STORY
Ms. H is a single mother with twins. She has had no contact with the biological father in years and the father appeared to be evading service. A Child Support Enforcement worker located the employer of the father and went to his workplace with papers that needed to be signed in order to establish paternity and start the child support process. The collection officer and social worker were able to establish paternity and get needed support for the mother and her twins.
Non-Public Assistance
For a nominal fee, CSE provides the same child support services to anyone, regardless of income, who applies for enforcement services. The rationale is to prevent the need for public assistance by ensuring that children receive support as ordered and to provide equal treatment under the law for all children. In state fiscal year 2006, $120.6 million was collected and forwarded to Kansas families
Regardless of the case type, CSE uses a variety of tools to locate parents and assets, establish and modify support orders, establish orders for health coverage, and enforce support orders.
Employers play a significant role in the support process. The New Hires Directory, administered by the Kansas Department of Labor, is a resource that helps CSE locate parents as they change jobs, ensuring that child support will continue to be paid.
The Kansas Payment Center (KPC) is the central child support processing facility in Kansas. Employers and other payors are required to send child support payments to KPC for processing. The KPC processed over 2 million payments worth $300 million dollars in 2006.
| Child Support Services | |
| Annual Collections | $160,976,628 |
| Actual Expenditures---SFY 2006 | $22,788,619 |
| State General Funds | $2,390,193 |
| Fee Funds | $5,447,741 |
"Why is my payment processed through the Kansas Payment Center? How can I check my payment record or call for payment information?"
The KPC was established in September 2000. The federal government requires all 50 states to have a centralized payment center to ease the child support collection burdens on employers. It also allows Kansas to offer services such as 24-hour access to information and direct deposit of payments to the custodial parent. To reach the KPC, call toll free 1-877-572-5722 or access the KPC website at www.kspaycenter.com.
"I used to receive support payments, but now I do not. What happened?"
There are a number of reasons why payments may be delayed or are unable to be processed. If you are sure a payment was made, the first contact should be to the KPC. The KPC will need information such as the full court order number, payer information, and the date and check number of the missing payment (if known).
Clerks of Court can assist in determining if a court order exists in the KPC system - or if a payment is in process. The local CSE unit at an SRS service center can assist in determining and resolving other payment problems. Contact the local SRS service center if help is needed to enforce a child support order.
"I requested child support enforcement services, but nothing happened. Why?"
The person requesting services should contact CSE staff at their local SRS service center to inquire about their specific case. CSE staff can also provide information about the way the system works and realistic time frames.
"I was given a decision that I object to. What can I do?"
Questions about decisions made by trustees, hearing officers, and judges should be referred back to those persons. The Office of Judicial Administration may be able to assist in coordinating a response.
"Child support guidelines are unrealistic. Can SRS change the guidelines for my case?"
Support guidelines for Kansas are published under a rule of the Kansas Supreme Court and are periodically revised. SRS does not have the authority to modify these guidelines. Persons concerned about the guidelines may wish to review whether or not all relevant information regarding their situation was supplied to the decision maker.
"SRS is charging me a fee to help collect my child support. Is this fair?"
In cases with SRS involvement, a fee of 4 percent of support collected is charged to families not receiving public assistance to partially cover the costs of collecting support. (For Johnson County court orders, the fee is capped at $10 per month.) Federal guidelines allow states to establish this fee. When SRS is not involved and a district court trustee is responsible for enforcement, the judicial districts charge fees varying from 0-5 percent for the trustee's services. Private attorneys who help collect child support often charge a fee of 20 percent or more.