Bipartisan Child Support Enforcement Bill Would Save $777 Million
The child support enforcement program serves nearly 13 million families across the country, including 18 percent of all children in the United States. On October 1st, the IRS is requiring states to stop providing certain information to contractors that help administer child support. This is expected to cost states and the federal government hundreds of millions of dollars and suspend child support payments to millions of families.
Congress must enact the bipartisan Child Support Enforcement Act (H.R. 7906, Strengthening State and Tribal Child Support Enforcement Act) to allow states to continue the use of contractors. It would allow those contractors to access the same taxpayer information as state and local agencies, while also giving tribes access to information and the authority to collect past-due support from federal tax overpayments.
The Congressional Budget Office estimates that enacting the bill would save money — decreasing net direct spending by $777 million over the next decade.
Passing this legislation is a no brainer. There is bipartisan support. The Child Support Enforcement program is successful and provides vital support for millions of families and children across the country. There is no need or reason for states to lose the option of private contractors who help administer child support programs for more than 40 states. Contractors and tribes should be given the data and information necessary to do the important work.
More on the Child Support Enforcement Program:
It’s one of the most cost-effective federal programs dedicated to obtaining child support.
In 2022, the program collected more than $27 billion in payments from non-custodial parents. For every dollar spent, nearly $5 was collected for families.
Among all families eligible for child support, 24 percent have income below the federal poverty line.
