Food Stamps, Cash Assistance Article

The Cash Assistance Program and Child Support

The Cash Assistance Program and Child Support

By Southern Arizona Legal Aid, Inc.

Child support -- it is your child's right!

There are many children who are not getting support from both parents. If you are not getting child support for your children, this article may give you information that will help you.

Each parent has the duty to support his or her children until they reach 18. If a child is disabled, the duty to support may continue past age 18. Under the law, child support is paid by wage-assignment through the payer's job. There are very few exceptions to this law. In most cases, you must cooperate with the Division of Child Support Enforcement (DCSE) to get Cash Assistance. If you are getting Cash Assistance, certain child support can be kept by DES to pay back these benefits. If your family stops getting Cash Assistance, the child support paid for the current month must be sent to you immediately.

Resources To Get a Child Support Order or to Enforce an Existing Child Support Order - The following resources may help you get a child support order or enforce an existing child support order:

DES Division of Child Support Enforcement (DCSE) - Under the law, DCSE must help custodial parents and their children get child and medical support orders. If you get Cash Assistance, you must give DCSE information about your child's other parent, unless you meet one of the "good cause exceptions." This information will allow DCSE start collection efforts. For more information click on the DES Division of Child Support Enforcement web site.

Superior Court System - Pima County Superior Court -Quick Court has do-it-yourself forms to file for child support. For more information about Quick Court in Pima County, you should contact Pima County Superior Court, 110 W. Congress, Tucson, Arizona 85701 at (520) 740-3201. In other counties, you should contact your local court to see if they have a similar service.

Legal Aid Organizations - Legal aid offices often have workshops to assist low income parents get a divorce, paternity order or child support. For more information, contact the legal aid office in your area. Be sure to choose the county where you live on the right side of the page; and find an office near you under the "Find Legal Help" on this website.

Private Attorneys - A private attorney can help you get child support through a divorce or paternity lawsuit. To help you find a private attorney who may be able to help you in Pima County, you should contact the Pima County Lawyer Referral Service at (520) 623-4625. In other counties, you should check the local phone book to find a private attorney or a similar referral service.

On 11/25/08
nikki b said
wow

On 7/9/07
Jennifer said
I have been working with DCSE for the last 7 years...I have had nothing but problems getting anything done once the other party stops paying...It takes forever before DCSE can take any actions in your case once the other party stops paying support.