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MS 5650 [6]
Example: The absent parent provides a written statement verifying they pay $75 per week cash to the individual for child support for their child. $75 X 13/3 = $325 per month.
If payments are received through the Department of Child Support Services (DCSS), the amounts provided to the family are listed in the columns entitled “$ CSUP to Family” and “$ Arrearages to Family”. Use the following method to determine the anticipated ongoing child support income to be counted in the SNAP benefits case:
To make an accurate determination of what is to be considered, review both columns for patterns of payment and discuss any discrepancies with the individual. Further verification, such as a collateral contact with DCSS, may be required to resolve discrepancies.
For example, DCSS displays the following:
Child Support to Family
Arrearage to Family 03/25 $0.00
03/25 $0.00 02/25 $100.00
02/25 $0.00 01/25 $100.00
01/25 $900.00 12/24 $100.00
12/24 $0.00 11/24 $0.00
11/24 $0.00
To determine whether or not the $900.00 listed in the “$ARR to Family” column should be considered when budgeting the child support income in the case, the worker must first confirm with the individual the payments were actually received. Look for a pattern of payment. In the example above, there does not appear to be a regular pattern of arrearage payments in this column. Therefore, the $900.00 would not be considered when determining the ongoing child support income. It would be considered a lump sum payment.
1. Manually add all three months together and divide by 3 to get an average monthly amount of child support to be considered in the SNAP benefits case. Enter the monthly amount on the system without rounding.
2. Enter the child support income under each child receiving the child support paid by the Non-Custodial Parent (NCP). If there is more than one child for the same NCP, determine the average monthly amount and divide it among the number of children for whom the support is intended. Enter the amounts in a manner that equals the total monthly amount of support due.
3. Document the case in enough detail to permit a reviewer to determine the accuracy of the entries.
C. Assistance Payments
Do not average monthly Federal or State assistance payments, such as KTAP, SSI, Veterans Administration (VA), or Social Security benefits, when two payments are received in a month as a result of the issuance date. If two