The effects of the unemployment crisis on families in the child support community can be long lasting and damaging. Not only may the families receiving child support see a decline in or receive no support at all, but the non-custodial parents can see adverse effects if if he/she fails to take proper action and use due diligence. When a non-custodial parent fails to communicate their non-employment status to the local child support office, arrears continue to accrue and adverse enforcement remedies commence. It is imperative that non-custodial parents inform the local child support jurisdiction that they are unemployed and enroll in some type of non-custodial parent employment program. They must also enroll in other employment assistance programs such as One-Stop Career Centers, Goodwill Industries and exert the same effort "looking for a job" as they would exert "performing a job." It is also important to try and make some type of consistent payment on your child support case. Although it may not be the amount you owe, it shows responsibilty and committment to judges, the local child support office and especially the child(ren) the money supports.
Here are some helpful links for employment assistance...
If you have any questions or would like more employment and/or child support information specifically for your state, please e-mail us at unemployment@weareparents.org.
