NC CSS Solving the Mystery

Most consumers wonder - What does “NC CSS” stand for Most consumers wonder - What does “NC CSS” stand for? What does this agency do? Why is the program so important? What does the program consist of? What does the program have going on now? Lets gather the following “clues” to “solve the mystery”…

CLUE #1: The Overview Federally mandated US Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) directed Administration for Children and Families (ACF) Established under Title IV, part D of the Social Security Act (“IV-D”) Purpose Partnership with other agencies

CLUE #2: Mission & Goal MISSION: To provide family centered child support services through mutual collaboration with families and partners, using innovative strategies to reach a common goal and self-sufficiency. GOAL: To ensure both parents financially support their child(ren), promote family self-sufficiency and the well-being of children, and consistently collect as much child support as possible for the benefit of North Carolina’s children.

CLUE #3: Program Services Locate Noncustodial Parents Paternity Establishment Establish Support Obligations Collect and Distribute Child Support Enforce Support Obligations

Location of the Noncustodial Parent Access to state and national databases Name Date of Birth (DOB) Social Security number (SSN) Address Employer Vehicle and/or property ownership information Locate only services

Paternity Establishment Establishes legal responsibility Helps the child receive certain rights and benefits Child support order cannot be established if paternity has not been acknowledged and/or established Paternity establishment - Genetic (DNA) testing Affidavit of Parentage

Establishment of Support Obligations Establishes legal responsibility Voluntary Court Order May include a monetary and/or medical insurance obligation Based on Child Support Guidelines

Collection and Distribution of Support Child Support Services (CSS) collects and distributes child support payments Frequency and amount of support payments determined by court order All payments handled by CSS are sent to Centralized Collections Operation (CCO) Various payment methods Federal regulations and state statutes

Enforcement of Support Obligations Compliance monitoring Several enforcement remedies Income withholding Salary/wage garnishment, Unemployment Insurance Benefits (UIB), workers’ compensation, Social Security benefits, Veteran’s disability benefits Monthly billing Court action Civil and criminal contempt; purge payments; establishment of arrears frequency Interception of tax refunds and lottery winnings Revocation of various licenses Drivers’ License, wildlife, passports, occupational Liens Property, bank accounts, insurance settlements Bonds

CLUE #4: Application for Services Qualified applicants Responsible for minor child Physical custody Owed child support arrears Noncustodial parents Children Application for Services Public Assistance or Foster Care Non-public assistance CSS Website – http://www.ncdhhs.gov/dss/CSS/index.htm eChild Support Website – www.ncchildsupport.com

CLUE #5: Referrals Federal legislation Sec. 678G. Drug and Child Support Services and Referrals Public Assistance cases referred at time of Department of Social Services interview Automatic referrals Work First Medicaid North Carolina Foster Care Medicaid-eligible State Foster Home Care Good Cause No application fee Must cooperate

CLUE #6: What’s New? Access & Visitation Division of Social Services (DSS) Child Welfare Services Section, Community-Based Programs Authorized by Congress Purpose: “to increase non-custodial parents’ access to their children, to improve the quality of the parent/child relationship and expand the scope and availability of support services for families, parents and children.” Services Mediation, visitation, parent education, counseling, parenting plans Increased child support

Are there any questions? Now that you have gathered all of the “clues,” you are able to “solve the mystery” of what North Carolina Child Support Services really is! Are there any questions?

Contact For more information, you may contact Dakida Ross at Dakida.Ross@dhhs.nc.gov. You may also visit the websites provided in your handout.