717-2          ASSIGNMENT OF RIGHTS TO CHILD SUPPORT

An ATAPAlaska Temporary Assistance Program applicant or recipient signs over to the State of Alaska their rights to receive and keep child support payments for months family receives TATemporary Assistance as a condition of eligibility. This includes any payments made by, or on behalf of, a noncustodial parent for a child for whom the caretaker relative is receiving ATAPAlaska Temporary Assistance Program benefits.

Assignment of Rights is automatic upon application. When assistance ends, so does the assignment. If a former recipient reapplies, assignment is automatic upon re-opening of the TATemporary Assistance case.

Note:

Families are entitled to keep child support arrearages collected by CSSDChild Support Services Division for months they did not receive ATAPAlaska Temporary Assistance Program benefits.

717-2 A.      EFFECTIVE DATE OF ASSIGNMENT

Assignment takes effect the date the caseworker opens the TATemporary Assistance case and authorizes the initial benefit. After that date, the recipient is responsible for signing over to CSSDChild Support Services Division any child support payments paid by, or on behalf of, the noncustodial parent for months the family receives ATAPAlaska Temporary Assistance Program benefits.

717-2 B.      WHAT CHILD SUPPORT ASSIGNMENT COVERS

The assignment covers more than child support payments coming due or received during the period of ATAPAlaska Temporary Assistance Program eligibility. It also gives CSSDChild Support Services Division the right to pursue and collect past due payments owed to the family at the time of assignment.

Note:

CSSDChild Support Services Division makes payment to the family of any child support arrearages for months when ATAPAlaska Temporary Assistance Program benefit payment was not received.

Alimony is also covered by assignment. Alimony, sometimes called spousal support, is treated exactly like child support and must also be signed over to CSSDChild Support Services Division.

717-2 C.      WHAT CHILD SUPPORT ASSIGNMENT DOES NOT COVER

Assignment does not cover child support payments for children who are not receiving ATAPAlaska Temporary Assistance Program benefit payments.

Assignment does not cover child support arrearages collected for months when ATAPAlaska Temporary Assistance Program benefit payment was not received. The family is entitled to keep these child support arrearages. However, this may be countable unearned income and must be reported to the Division. See ATAPAlaska Temporary Assistance Program MS 717-7 for policy on how CSSDChild Support Services Division collections affect the TATemporary Assistance case.

Occasionally an applicant or recipient may be benefiting from "in-kind" support from a noncustodial parent. Neither ATAPAlaska Temporary Assistance Program nor the Child Support Services Division recognizes in-kind payments as satisfying the support obligation. In this situation, refer the individual immediately to CSSDChild Support Services Division and inform CSSDChild Support Services Division of the in-kind arrangement. This may be done by telephone or through electronic mail to the CSSDChild Support Services Division worker.