Arrears Avenues

Locate

• Google
• Credit Commander
  • Needed for 'Diligent locate'
  • Skip Trace & Subpoenas
• PRISM
  • Search by 'Area'
  • Search by 'Type' of Information
  • Search by old 'Site Menu'
• Auto Locate & SEMS 'Happenings'
  • Auto Locate Data Bases
  • Calendar
• Impediment Locate Screen
  • Automated Interface with IV-A
  • Auto populate with FPLS
  • One screen for all of a person's cases
  • FIDM & IA
  • Pass off to locate applications

Modifications

Administrative Order Criteria – DCS Initiated:

• Substantial Change of Circumstance - minimum 12 months
• Change in income - minimum 24 months

Criteria for Zero Order (Administrative) are:

• On public assistance for more than 12 months with no income budgeted against current grant.
• On PA with another child & this case is for a child in foster care.
• On GAU or SSI
• Incarcerated & release date is 12 months or more in the future & no income or assets.
• Permanently disabled and on disability benefits that are not considered income.
• Institutionalized and there are no assets or income available for child support.

Possible Write Off Permanently Assigned Arrears

Write Off Based on Error

• Default order is incorrect & DCS knew actual income before Order was final
• Legal error or defect limits DCS's ability to collect
• DCS / Prosecutor failed to use earnings info that was available
• DCS can write off the debt that exceeds the amount that would have been owed if actual income info had been the basis for the support.

Write Off Based on Hardship

• Debt interferes w/NCP ability to provide for dependents
• The condition is likely to continue
• Low odds of collecting the debt
• Write off enough to alleviate the immediate hardship

Write Off Based on: Cost of Collection Exceeds Value of Debt

• The case is long-term, no-asset, few payments
• DCS has taken most remedies with little of no results
• Write off the amount that is unlikely to be collected without excessive costs

Code 41

Paid in full?
Under $500?

• No current due
• Under $500 for family unit
• 18-370 & 60 days

Code 45

Unable to locate
3 Year / 1 Year

• Diligent locate
• Contact CP
• Credit bureau
• 18-370 & 60 days

Code 46

Cannot pay while child is a minor.

• Psychiatric facility
• No chance parole
• Total/Perm disability
• 18-370 & 60 days

Code 47

No reciprocity in foreign country & NCP has no attachable assets.

• 18-370 & 60 days

Code 51

Lost contact with custodial parent.

• 1st class letter mailed to CP
• MLNF, RTS, etc
• 18-370 & 60 days

Olympia Field Office September 18, 2007

Presented by Darla Woodworth, Washington State Department of Social and Health Services, Division of Child Support

Posted on March 24, 2008