PM 24-05-02-d: Support Paid to the Family

WAG 24-05-02-d

Budget support payments sent to the client by the Clerk of the Circuit Court or the noncustodial parent. If the client does not forward the money to HFS, budget it against the cash or medical for non-MAGI households. Disregard up to $100 pass through for a unit with one child, or up to $200 pass through for a unit with two or more children. Budget the payment as unearned income for the payment month that corresponds to the budget month in which the support was received. A overpayment exists if:

• the support is not reported by the client; or
• the support kept by the client is not budgeted for the corresponding payment month.

For TANF, overpayments are subject to recoupment (see PM 23-05-01-a). When determining the amount of the overpayment, exempt:

• up to $100 per month as pass through for a unit with one child, or up to $200 for a unit with two or more children; and
• the amount of any earmarked support paid, if applicable.

All support payments kept by the client are considered as income until:

• the client forwards the support payment to HFS as required; or
• the DCSS obtains an order payable to HFS; or
• the client verifies that the noncustodial parent has stopped making payments.

 Child support income is exempt from medical cases that use MAGI budgeting. See PM 08-03-02-a.