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ALBANY--For the 11th consecutive year, child support collections in New York State have reached record levels. In 2005 collections topped $1.5 billion, a 143% increase over collections in 1994.
“Whether it is providing health insurance through Child Health Plus, providing record increases to education funding, or increasing day care opportunities, we are doing everything we can to ensure that our children get the best start possible in life, and the collection of child support plays an important role in our efforts,” Governor George Pataki said. “We have made the collection of child support a priority and for the 11th consecutive year, the results speak for themselves. All children have a basic right to be supported emotionally and financially by both parents and I am proud that the unprecedented level of child support collected has improved the lives of hundreds of thousands of New York’s children.”
The $1.5 billion in 2005 collections represents a $56 million increase over 2004, and the seventh consecutive year of collections totaling more than $1 billion. The collections included $561 million for New York City, an increase of 168% over 1994, and $944 million for the rest of the State, an increase of 131% since 1994.
Robert Doar, commissioner of the State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance said, “Under Gov. Pataki’s leadership we’ve become a national leader and model for the collection of child support. New York has revitalized child support collections by strengthening the cooperation between state agencies, utilizing innovative technology and increasing public awareness of this important issue. In addition the increase in child support has helped countless families move from a public assistance to self-sufficiency as more than $505 million of the $1.5 billion collected went to 226,600 former welfare families.”
In addition to New York City, 39 counties more than doubled collections since 1994. The counties, and percent increase, include Westchester, 190%; Rockland, 189%; Nassau, 180%; Ontario, 177%; Monroe, 168%; Dutchess, 163%; Schoharie, 158% ; Seneca, 157%; Putnam, 155%; Suffolk, 147%; Ulster, 146%; Cattaraugus, 144% ; Albany, 142%; Wayne, 141%; Greene, 138%; Saratoga, 136%; Sullivan, 135% ; Clinton, 133%; Hamilton, 130%; Orange, 129%; Schenectady, 129%; Cayuga, 126%; Columbia, 125%; Tompkins, 121%. Yates, 118%; Onondaga, 118%; Livingston, 117%; St. Lawrence, 117%; Otsego, 115%; Genesee, 113%; Lewis, 112%; Rensselaer, 111%; Wyoming, 108%; Essex, 108%; Erie, 107%; Oswego, 104%; Warren, 104%; Jefferson, 102%; and Steuben, 101%.
Since 1995, Gov. Pataki has made it clear that there is no element of personal responsibility more basic than parents’ obligation to provide for the support of their children. Utilizing aggressive action against non-paying parents and forging new partnerships among government agencies, New York’s child support system has been elevated to a new prominence, benefiting families and receiving national recognition.
Under the Governor’s leadership, other child support accomplishments include:
Over 550,000 children born out-of-wedlock have had legal paternity established through the voluntary acknowledgment of paternity program.
The enactment of legislation authorizing the Department of Taxation and Finance to use its broad collection powers to enforce cases that are four months in arrears. In 2005, DTF made 192 asset seizures against non-paying non-custodial parents.
The development of partnership between the child support program and the Department of Motor Vehicles that has resulted in more than 385,000 child support debtors making full or partial payment on their child support debt since the program began in 1995.
Automatic cost of living increases in support orders have been provided, to keep pace with inflation and allow families to stay off welfare.
The enactment of legislation allowing for administrative liens on property and increased access to records of financial institutions, government agencies and private entities to assist in collection of support from non-paying non-custodial parents.
The development of partnership between the child support program and participating financial institutions that make it possible to identify and seize monies in non-custodial parent financial accounts such as: savings, checking, term deposits, money markets, and cash balances. Since inception in 2002, over $52 million has been seized.
Electronic disbursement of child support payments has made issuance of payments to custodial parents more convenient and efficient. In 2005, more than 3 million custodial parent payments were made via Electronic Funds Transfer, Direct Deposit, or Debit Cards.
More than 6,700 families have been enrolled in access and visitation groups across the state. The goal of this initiative is to improve parent’s individual and cooperative parenting skills and to improve the non-custodial parent’s attitudes leading to greater compliance with child support obligations. Over 11,800 children have benefited from the programs.
More than 112,000 children have been enrolled in employer based health care coverage through the Medical Support Execution project, begun in December 2003.
The creation of the Joint Enforcement Team (JET) project in four counties to help prosecute cases where other civil collection mechanisms have proved ineffective. As of February 2006, over 600 cases have been referred to district attorney offices and more than $2.25 million has been collected. 2-25-06
© 2005 North
Country Gazette
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