Division of Child Support Enforcement

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

Position	Name
Division Director	Walley Naylor
Field Operations Director	Martha Benjamin
METSS Operations Director	Debra Johnson-Cockrell
Program Operations Director	Sherry Taylor
Senior Attorney	Scott Weatherly

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)	14%
Two (2)	20%
Three (3)	22%
Four (4)	24%
Five or More (5)	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). Also, emancipation may refer to the emancipation that occurs before the child reaches the age of majority. NOTE: The noncustodial parent, not MDHS, shall petition the court for the relief sought.

Automatic Emancipation: Unless otherwise provided for in an underlying child support judgment, automatic emancipation shall occur:

• The age of majority (21) is attained, unless the child support order specifies differently
• Marries
• Joins the military and serves on a full-time basis
• Is convicted of a felony and is sentenced to incarceration of two (2) or more years for committing such felony

Court-Ordered Emancipation: This does not emancipate automatically and requires a court order for emancipation to eliminate or decrease the amount of child support.

• Discontinues full-time enrollment in school having attained the age of eighteen (18) years, unless the child is disabled
• Voluntarily moves from the home of the custodial parent or guardian, and establishes independent living arrangements, obtains full-time employment and discontinues educational endeavors prior to attaining the age of twenty-one (21)
• Cohabits with another person without the approval of the parent obligated to pay support; cohabits generally means living together as if husband and wife

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.

Contact Information

Mississippi Department of Human Services
Division of Child Support Enforcement
1-877-882-4916 | (601) 359-4861