NORTH DAKOTA DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES
BISMARCK, NORTH DAKOTA
March 29, 2006

IM 5006

TO:		County Social Service Directors
Economic Assistance Policy Regional Representatives
Economic Assistance Policy Quality Control Reviewers

FROM:	Blaine Nordwall, Director, Economic Assistance Policy

SUBJECT:	Child Support Paid 430-05-55-30

PROGRAMS:	Food Stamps

EFFECTIVE:	April 1, 2007 

RETENTION: 	Until Manualized

Current policy requires the deduction for child support paid be allowed based on an average of what the household has paid at initial application and on the average from the prior certification period at recertification.  

For ongoing cases, effective April 1, 2007 when processing May benefits, the averaged deduction will continue to be allowed unless the household reports a change in the legal obligation or the legally obligated amount they pay.  If an averaged deduction is being allowed and the household reports a change in the amount of child support they pay or provides pay stubs that indicate fluctuating withholding, the averaged deduction must not be changed until recertification.  

If the household was not paying child support at the time of application or recertification and reports in writing or verbally to their worker that they are now paying child support, a deduction can be allowed if verified.  The pay stubs can be used as verification of the change, if not questionable. 

Providing pay stubs that indicate child support was withheld does not constitute a reported change by the household.    

Change Reporting Households

If the household reports a change in the legal obligation to pay child support, the legally obligated amount of child support or reports they are now paying child support and a deduction is not currently being allowed during the certification period and the change results in an increase in benefits, or the effect on the benefit is unclear, the worker must send the F442 requesting verification.  If verification is provided, the change must be acted on.  If verification is not provided, the deduction continues to be allowed at the previously verified amount and the case is not closed.  FACSES is available as a tool to verify this information.  

If the change results in the decrease in benefits, the change must be acted on and verification obtained at the household’s next recertification.  

Simplified Reporting Households

If the household reports a changes in the legal obligation to pay child support, the legally obligated amount of child support or when a household reports they are now paying child support and a deduction is not currently being allowed during the certification period or at six month report and the change results in an increase in benefits, or the effect on the benefits is unclear, the worker must send the F419 requesting verification.  If verification is provided, the change must be acted on.  If verification is not provided, the deduction continues to be allowed at the previously verified amount and the case is not closed.  FACSES is available as a tool to verify this information.  

If the change results in a decrease in benefits, the change is not acted on until six month report or recertification, whichever occurs first.