Child Support Enforcement: Effects of Declining Welfare Caseloads Are Beginning to Emerge
HEHS-99-105
Published: Jun 30, 1999. Publicly Released: Jun 30, 1999.
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Highlights
Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO reviewed the Child Support Enforcement (CSE) program, focusing on: (1) changes in CSE welfare collections since 1994; (2) the net savings/cost experiences of state and federal CSE programs; (3) those states that have experienced declines in CSE welfare collections and how these declines affected their state's CSE program funding; and (4) the future implications of caseload declines and welfare reform changes for the CSE program.
Recommendations
Matter for Congressional Consideration
| Matter | Status | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| CSE nonwelfare costs continue to rise as CSE welfare caseloads decline, signaling future declines in CSE revenues. Congress and the states may wish to reconsider the option of charging a minimum percentage service fee on CSE nonwelfare collections that would be shared at the same rate the federal government and states share administrative costs--two thirds and one-third, respectively. This would, to some extent, alleviate the growing financial burden to the federal government and states. | A provision in the Personal Responsibility and Family Promotion Act of 2003 (H.R.-4) stated that in addition to current fees, states must impose an annual service fee on individuals who never received TANF assistance and for whom the state has collected at least $500. This approach would yield the same results as intended by GAO's recommendation--reduce the growing financial burden to the federal government and the states. The bill passed the House on February 13, 2003. |
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Topics
Child support paymentsCost controlDebt collectionstate relationsGovernment collectionsIntergovernmental fiscal relationsLaw enforcementParentsState-administered programsWelfare benefits