MDHS Division of Child Support

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Division of Child Support Enforcement

Frequently Asked Questions About Services

Division Director

Field Operations

METSS Operations

Program Operations

Senior Attorney

.... Walley Naylor

.... Martha Benjamin, Director

.... Debra Johnson-Cockrell, Director

.... Sherry Taylor, Director

.... Katherine Collier

Why is there a Child Support Program?

States are required under Title IV-D of the Social Security Act, and the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996, P.L. 104-193, to establish and operate a Child Support Enforcement Program. The Department of Human Services, Division of Child Support Enforcement is dedicated to providing the best possible services, including the following:

Location of noncustodial parents
Establishment of paternity
Establishment of orders for child support and medical support
Collection and distribution of support payments
Enforcement of child support orders
Review and adjustment of orders
Working with child support programs in other states to collect child support

What is the purpose of child support?

To ensure that children receive financial and emotional support from both parents.
To provide children with a sense of family, social and financial security.
To help families become more responsible and support their children.
To help families become less dependent on benefits like Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and food stamps, and to promote self-sufficiency.

How do I apply for child support services?

Call or visit your local county child support office.
If you are a TANF, Medicaid, Foster Care or Food Stamp recipient, you will automatically be referred to a child support office for child support services.
If you are not a TANF, Medicaid, Foster Care or Food Stamp recipient, you can obtain an application for child support services and pay a one time application fee of $25.00.
If you want to prove you are the father of a child or children, you can complete an application and pay a $25.00 application fee.
If you only want to locate the noncustodial parent, you can obtain and complete an application for locate only services free of charge.

How much child support will I receive?

Mississippi Code Sections 43-19-101 and 43-19-103 establish guidelines for child support obligations. These guidelines provide the percentage of the noncustodial parent's adjusted gross income that should be awarded for support based on the number of children due support. The guidelines are listed below.

Number of Children Due Support

Percentage of Adjusted Gross Income That Should Be Awarded For Support

One (1)

Two (2)

Three (3)

Four (4)

Five (5) or More

14%

20%

22%

24%

26%

How long will I receive child support?

Child support is paid until a child becomes emancipated. In the State of Mississippi, the age of emancipation is twenty-one (21). Earlier emancipation may occur if the child marries, joins the military on a full-time basis, discontinues full-time enrollment in school and is over 18, obtains other full time employment or establishes residency outside the custodial parent's home, is incarcerated due to a felony conviction, or cohabits with another person without the approval of the parent obligated to pay child support.

How will you get my child support from the noncustodial parent?

There are several methods we can use to collect and enforce child support.

Collection methods are:

Income Withholding - The employer takes the child support from the noncustodial parent's paycheck.
Tax Offset Intercept - Past due support is taken out of any refund due the noncustodial parent from IRS or State taxes.
Unemployment Intercept - Current child support is taken out of the noncustodial parent's unemployment check.

Enforcement methods are:

Contempt Action - A noncustodial parent can be taken back to court for non-compliance with the court order. This action could result in the court ordering the noncustodial parent to be incarcerated.
Credit Bureau Reporting - A noncustodial parent will be reported to the credit bureau if he/she becomes delinquent in child support.
License Suspension - Any individual who fails to comply with a subpoena or warrant relating to paternity or support, as well as failing to provide court ordered child support, is subject to having his/her license suspended; (i.e., drivers, professional, other state issued licenses, etc.)
Passport Revocation - A noncustodial parent with child support arrears of $2,500 or more will have his/her passport revoked or application denied. (Effective 10-1-06 arrears amount $2,500).
Court Ordered Employment - Courts can order a noncustodial parent to get a job.

	Division of Child Support Enforcement
	Frequently Asked Questions About Services