Will my back child support effect my stimulus check?
Many Fathers are wondering if they will get a stimulus check because they owe back child support. The guideline for who gets a stimulus checks was provided in the CARES Act.
On Friday, March 27, 2020, the coronavirus relief bill, CARES Act, was enacted which will provide millions of Americans with a stimulus check to help people through the current COVID-19 pandemic. The CARES Act provides $1,200 to each individual making under $75,000 or $2,400 to a couple making under $150,000. In addition there is a payment of $500.00 per child. It is expected that Americans will start receiving these checks within three weeks.
The CARES Act provides $1,200 to each individual making under $75,000 or $2,400 to a couple making under $150,000. In addition there is a payment of $500.00 per child.
The legislation carves out most administrative offset that would normally reduce a tax refund for individuals. According to Senator Chuck Grassley from Iowa, Chairman of the Finance Community, owing back taxes or other debt to the government is not an issue. However, there are some red flags that may reduce the amount of your stimulus check or eliminate you from receiving any money at all.
Will Owing Back Child Support Reduce My Stimulus Check?
The Debt Collection Improvement Act of 1996 does give the Treasury Department authorization to collect past due child support by offsetting federal payments. This means that non-custodial parents that owe back child-support may not see all or any money from the stimulus check they would otherwise be eligible for.
So if you are behind on your child support don’t spend your check before you receive it. You may want to get your financial activity report from the Texas Attorney General. This report will show all the charges related to your court order child support and all the payments or credits applied to your account. It will also show the amount of back child support if any owed.
If you do owe back child support it is likely that your stimulus payment will go toward offsetting your back child support thus reducing your debt related to your court ordered child support in accordance with the Debt Collection Improvement Act of 1996.
What Can I Do to Get My Check?
Unfortunately unless you have the money to pay off your back child support debt there may not be much you can do to get your stimulus check. However, if your stimulus check is more than what you owe in back child support you should receive the difference.
If you feel that your court ordered child support is set too high because you have either changed jobs or lost your job from the time your child support was established you should seek legal assistance to determine if you qualify to have your child support reduced.
Where can I find help?
Fathers Rights can help you determine if seeking a reduction in your child support could be considered. Don’t get further in debt by not taking action. Call or text today.
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