DHSS Press Release |
Date: August 10, 2007 DHSS-87-2007 |
| Vincent P. Meconi, Secretary Jay Lynch, Communications Director (302) 255-9037, Pager (302) 247-8523 Email: jay.lynch@state.de.us |
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DIRECT DEPOSIT FOR CHILD SUPPORT PAYMENTS NOW AVAILABLE
Custodial parents may choose to have their support payments deposited into a checking or savings account.
Parents who are paid child support through the Division of Child Support Enforcement will soon be able to receive their money by direct deposit, Division Director Charles Hayward announced today. The direct deposit option, which successfully tested this spring, will be offered in phases, beginning in the end of August. Custodial parents will be notified of the direct deposit option via postcards, to be mailed according to geographically clustered zip codes by county. Statewide delivery is expected by the end of fall 2007. Currently, child support collected by the state is forwarded, via check, to the custodial parent. Direct deposit speeds up the process by several days and eliminates banking hassles or other problems, such as lost checks.
"The money goes straight into the custodial parent's bank account, eliminating the waiting time for a check to come in the mail,'' Hayward said. "This is a great advantage for families who depend on child support to help pay the rent or mortgage and other daily necessities."
As of June 2007, the Division collected a total of $96,746,849.00 and had 58,042 open child support cases; New Castle County-33,071; Kent County-11,551; Sussex County-13,420.
With direct deposit, when a payment is posted to a child support case, DCSE electronically notifies the bank to credit the account. In most cases, it will be credited within two business days after DCSE applies the payment to the case. Every child support custodial parent who has a bank account in their own name can sign up, but can use only one direct deposit account at a time.
Setting up Direct Deposit
To set up direct deposit, applicants must be clients and have an open checking or savings account in their name. Child support payments will not be deposited into an account bearing only the child's name. Applicants should print and complete the Direct Deposit application from the DCSE website: www.dhss.delaware.gov/dcse/get_dd.html (or pick it up from one of our offices in New Castle, 84A Christiana Road, New Castle, DE 19720; Kent, 1114 S. DuPont Highway, Dover, DE 19901; or Sussex County, 9 Academy Street, Georgetown, DE 19947) and mail it - along with a voided check or verified, preprinted savings withdrawal slip to:
Delaware Health and Social Services
Division of Child Support Enforcement
P.O. Box 12327
Wilmington, DE 19850
Activation occurs automatically in 15 days, unless there is a problem with the banking pre-note process. Questions? Contact DCSE's Customer Service Unit: NCC: 302-577-7171 KC 302-739-8299 SC 302-856-5386
September 2007 is Child Support Month
Also today, Hayward announced the department's 2007 Child Support Enforcement Month launch party will be held Thursday, August 30, 2007 at 2:00 PM at DCSE's New Castle County Office. One of the events and activities that encourage non-custodial parents to get involved in their children's lives is the FREE "Daddy & Me! Sports Day," co-sponsored by DSCYF and the City of Wilmington, Parks & Recreation on Saturday, September 29 from 9 AM to 5 PM at the YMCA, 1000 North Walnut Street, Wilmington, DE 19801.
Delaware Health and Social Services is committed to improving the quality of the lives of Delaware's citizens by promoting health and well-being, fostering self-sufficiency, and protecting vulnerable populations.
