717-7 HOW CSSD COLLECTIONS AFFECT THE TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE CASE
Each time CSSD collects a child support payment for a dependent child in an open TA case, it notifies DPA of the collection through an EIS alert and determines the amount that should be forwarded to the caretaker.
If the case is in suspended or refuse cash status, such as when the recipient is participating in Job Start, the full child support payment collected for the current month is sent to the TA recipient.
If CSSD collects child support for months when ATAP benefit payment was not received, CSSD pays the arrearage directly to the caretaker relative. The child support received by the caretaker relative counts as unearned income. See ATAP MS 758-1 for policy on how to count child support income.
Note:
Direct child support payments may affect eligibility and benefits for other
DPA programs, such as
SNAP , or Medicaid.
For other cases, the pass-through payment is issued by DPA and the caseworker uses the information about the amount collected to determine prospective eligibility for the case.
717-7 A. CHILD SUPPORT PASS-THROUGH PROVISIONS
The first $50 of child support received in a month is disregarded as income in determining eligibility and payment for TA .
Up to $50 of the total child support money collected by CSSD in a month will be paid to the assistance unit as a pass-through payment by DPA . If the amount of child support collected is less than $50, only the amount collected will be paid to the assistance unit.
Timely and adequate notice requirements do not apply to pass-through payments. The caretaker is not entitled to a fair hearing if pass-through payments cease or are reduced.
717-7 B. PROSPECTIVE ELIGIBILITY DECISION
1. Child Support Payments on Regular Basis
When child support payments are made on a regular basis and can reasonably be expected to continue, the estimated child support payment amount (less the $50 pass-through) is counted in the prospective eligibility determination.
If the child support amount is high enough to cause prospective ineligibility for the family, the caseworker must close the TA case. CSSD will then forward any subsequent child support payments it receives directly to the family.
2. Child Support Payments Not On Regular Basis
When child support payments are made on an occasional or sporadic basis, such as through a PFD garnishment or arrearages collected through tax return garnishment, further child support payments cannot reasonably be anticipated and the family remains eligible.
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