§657. Distribution of collected support

(a) In general

Subject to subsections (e) and (f) of this section, an amount collected on behalf of a family as support by a State pursuant to a plan approved under this part shall be distributed as follows:

(1) Families receiving assistance

In the case of a family receiving assistance from the State, the State shall-

(A) pay to the Federal Government the Federal share of the amount so collected; and

(B) retain, or distribute to the family, the State share of the amount so collected.

In no event shall the total of the amounts paid to the Federal Government and retained by the State exceed the total of the amounts that have been paid to the family as assistance by the State.

(2) Families that formerly received assistance

In the case of a family that formerly received assistance from the State:

(A) Current support payments

To the extent that the amount so collected does not exceed the amount required to be paid to the family for the month in which collected, the State shall distribute the amount so collected to the family.

(B) Payments of arrearages

To the extent that the amount so collected exceeds the amount required to be paid to the family for the month in which collected, the State shall distribute the amount so collected as follows:

(i) Distribution of arrearages that accrued after the family ceased to receive assistance

(I) Pre-October 1997

Except as provided in subclause (II), the provisions of this section as in effect and applied on the day before August 22, 1996 (other than subsection (b)(1) (as so in effect)), shall apply with respect to the distribution of support arrearages that-

(aa) accrued after the family ceased to receive assistance, and

(bb) are collected before October 1, 1997.

(II) Post-September 1997

With respect to the amount so collected on or after October 1, 1997 (or before such date, at the option of the State)-

(aa) In general

The State shall first distribute the amount so collected (other than any amount described in clause (iv)) to the family to the extent necessary to satisfy any support arrearages with respect to the family that accrued after the family ceased to receive assistance from the State.

(bb) Reimbursement of governments for assistance provided to the family

After the application of division (aa) and clause (ii)(II)(aa) with respect to the amount so collected, the State shall retain the State share of the amount so collected, and pay to the Federal Government the Federal share (as defined in subsection (c)(2) of this section) of the amount so collected, but only to the extent necessary to reimburse amounts paid to the family as assistance by the State.

(cc) Distribution of the remainder to the family

To the extent that neither division (aa) nor division (bb) applies to the amount so collected, the State shall distribute the amount to the family.

(ii) Distribution of arrearages that accrued before the family received assistance

(I) Pre-October 2000

Except as provided in subclause (II), the provisions of this section as in effect and applied on the day before August 22, 1996 (other than subsection (b)(1) (as so in effect)), shall apply with respect to the distribution of support arrearages that-

(aa) accrued before the family received assistance, and

(bb) are collected before October 1, 2000.

(II) Post-September 2000

Unless, based on the report required by paragraph (5), the Congress determines otherwise, with respect to the amount so collected on or after October 1, 2000 (or before such date, at the option of the State)-

(aa) In general

The State shall first distribute the amount so collected (other than any amount described in clause (iv)) to the family to the extent necessary to satisfy any support arrearages with respect to the family that accrued before the family received assistance from the State.

(bb) Reimbursement of governments for assistance provided to the family

After the application of clause (i)(II)(aa) and division (aa) with respect to the amount so collected, the State shall retain the State share of the amount so collected, and pay to the Federal Government the Federal share (as defined in subsection (c)(2) of this section) of the amount so collected, but only to the extent necessary to reimburse amounts paid to the family as assistance by the State.

(cc) Distribution of the remainder to the family

To the extent that neither division (aa) nor division (bb) applies to the amount so collected, the State shall distribute the amount to the family.

(iii) Distribution of arrearages that accrued while the family received assistance

In the case of a family described in this subparagraph, the provisions of paragraph (1) shall apply with respect to the distribution of support arrearages that accrued while the family received assistance.

(iv) Amounts collected pursuant to section 664

Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, any amount of support collected pursuant to section 664 of this title shall be retained by the State to the extent past-due support has been assigned to the State as a condition of receiving assistance from the State, up to the amount necessary to reimburse the State for amounts paid to the family as assistance by the State. The State shall pay to the Federal Government the Federal share of the amounts so retained. To the extent the amount collected pursuant to section 664 of this title exceeds the amount so retained, the State shall distribute the excess to the family.

(v) Ordering rules for distributions

For purposes of this subparagraph, unless an earlier effective date is required by this section, effective October 1, 2000, the State shall treat any support arrearages collected, except for amounts collected pursuant to section 664 of this title, as accruing in the following order:

(I) To the period after the family ceased to receive assistance.

(II) To the period before the family received assistance.

(III) To the period while the family was receiving assistance.

(3) Families that never received assistance

In the case of any other family, the State shall distribute the amount so collected to the family.

(4) Families under certain agreements

In the case of an amount collected for a family in accordance with a cooperative agreement under section 654(33) of this title, distribute the amount so collected pursuant to the terms of the agreement.

(5) Study and report

Not later than October 1, 1999, the Secretary shall report to the Congress the Secretary's findings with respect to-

(A) whether the distribution of post-assistance arrearages to families has been effective in moving people off of welfare and keeping them off of welfare;

(B) whether early implementation of a pre-assistance arrearage program by some States has been effective in moving people off of welfare and keeping them off of welfare;

(C) what the overall impact has been of the amendments made by the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 with respect to child support enforcement in moving people off of welfare and keeping them off of welfare; and

(D) based on the information and data the Secretary has obtained, what changes, if any, should be made in the policies related to the distribution of child support arrearages.

(6) State option for applicability

Notwithstanding any other provision of this subsection, a State may elect to apply the rules described in clauses (i)(II), (ii)(II), and (v) of paragraph (2)(B) to support arrearages collected on and after October 1, 1998, and, if the State makes such an election, shall apply the provisions of this section, as in effect and applied on the day before August 22, 1996, other than subsection (b)(1) (as so in effect), to amounts collected before October 1, 1998.

(b) Continuation of assignments

Any rights to support obligations, assigned to a State as a condition of receiving assistance from the State under part A of this subchapter and in effect on September 30, 1997 (or such earlier date, on or after August 22, 1996, as the State may choose), shall remain assigned after such date.

(c) Definitions

As used in subsection (a) of this section:

(1) Assistance

The term "assistance from the State" means-

(A) assistance under the State program funded under part A of this subchapter or under the State plan approved under part A of this subchapter (as in effect on the day before August 22, 1996); and

(B) foster care maintenance payments under the State plan approved under part E of this subchapter.

(2) Federal share

The term "Federal share" means that portion of the amount collected resulting from the application of the Federal medical assistance percentage in effect for the fiscal year in which the amount is distributed.

(3) Federal medical assistance percentage

The term "Federal medical assistance percentage" means-

(A) 75 percent, in the case of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, and American Samoa; or

(B) the Federal medical assistance percentage (as defined in section 1396d(b) of this title, as such section was in effect on September 30, 1995) in the case of any other State.

(4) State share

The term "State share" means 100 percent minus the Federal share.

(d) Hold-harmless provision

If-

(1) the State share of amounts collected in the fiscal year which could be retained to reimburse the State for amounts paid to families as assistance by the State is less than the State share of such amounts collected in fiscal year 1995 (determined in accordance with this section as in effect on August 21, 1996); and

(2)(A) the State has distributed to families that include an adult receiving assistance under the program under part A of this subchapter at least 80 percent of the current support payments collected during the preceding fiscal year on behalf of such families, and the amounts distributed were disregarded in determining the amount or type of assistance provided under the program under part A of this subchapter; or

(B) the State has distributed to families that formerly received assistance under the program under part A of this subchapter the State share of the amounts collected pursuant to section 664 of this title that could have been retained as reimbursement for assistance paid to such families,

then the State share otherwise determined for the fiscal year shall be increased by an amount equal to one-half of the amount (if any) by which the State share for fiscal year 1995 exceeds the State share for the fiscal year (determined without regard to this subsection).

(e) Gap payments not subject to distribution under this section

At State option, this section shall not apply to any amount collected on behalf of a family as support by the State (and paid to the family in addition to the amount of assistance otherwise payable to the family) pursuant to a plan approved under this part if such amount would have been paid to the family by the State under section 602(a)(28) of this title, as in effect and applied on the day before August 22, 1996. For purposes of subsection (d) of this section, the State share of such amount paid to the family shall be considered amounts which could be retained by the State if such payments were reported by the State as part of the State share of amounts collected in fiscal year 1995.

(f) Amounts collected for child for whom foster care maintenance payments are made

Notwithstanding the preceding provisions of this section, amounts collected by a State as child support for months in any period on behalf of a child for whom a public agency is making foster care maintenance payments under part E of this subchapter-

(1) shall be retained by the State to the extent necessary to reimburse it for the foster care maintenance payments made with respect to the child during such period (with appropriate reimbursement of the Federal Government to the extent of its participation in the financing);

(2) shall be paid to the public agency responsible for supervising the placement of the child to the extent that the amounts collected exceed the foster care maintenance payments made with respect to the child during such period but not the amounts required by a court or administrative order to be paid as support on behalf of the child during such period; and the responsible agency may use the payments in the manner it determines will serve the best interests of the child, including setting such payments aside for the child's future needs or making all or a part thereof available to the person responsible for meeting the child's day-to-day needs; and

(3) shall be retained by the State, if any portion of the amounts collected remains after making the payments required under paragraphs (1) and (2), to the extent that such portion is necessary to reimburse the State (with appropriate reimbursement to the Federal Government to the extent of its participation in the financing) for any past foster care maintenance payments (or payments of assistance under the State program funded under part A of this subchapter) which were made with respect to the child (and with respect to which past collections have not previously been retained);

and any balance shall be paid to the State agency responsible for supervising the placement of the child, for use by such agency in accordance with paragraph (2).

(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title IV, §457, as added Pub. L. 93–647, §101(a), Jan. 4, 1975, 88 Stat. 2356 ; amended Pub. L. 95–171, §11, Nov. 12, 1977, 91 Stat. 1357 ; Pub. L. 97–35, title XXIII, §2332(e), Aug. 13, 1981, 95 Stat. 862 ; Pub. L. 98–369, div. B, title VI, §2640(b), July 18, 1984, 98 Stat. 1145 ; Pub. L. 98–378, §§7(a), 11(a), Aug. 16, 1984, 98 Stat. 1315 , 1317; Pub. L. 99–514, title XVIII, §§1883(b)(6), 1899(a), Oct. 22, 1986, 100 Stat. 2917 , 2957; Pub. L. 100–203, title IX, §9141(a)(1), Dec. 22, 1987, 101 Stat. 1330–321 ; Pub. L. 100–485, title I, §102(b), Oct. 13, 1988, 102 Stat. 2346 ; Pub. L. 104–193, title III, §302(a), Aug. 22, 1996, 110 Stat. 2200 ; Pub. L. 105–33, title V, §§5532(a), (b)(1), (c)–(h), 5547, Aug. 5, 1997, 111 Stat. 626 , 627, 632; Pub. L. 106–169, title III, §301(a), (c), title IV, §401(j), (k), Dec. 14, 1999, 113 Stat. 1857 , 1858.)

Amendment of Section

Pub. L. 106–169, title III, §301(c), Dec. 14, 1999, 113 Stat. 1857 , provided that, effective Oct. 1, 2001, this section is amended as follows:

(1) in subsection (a), by substituting "subsections (d) and (e)" for "subsections (e) and (f)";

(2) by striking out subsection (d);

(3) in subsection (e), by striking out the second sentence; and

(4) by redesignating subsections (e) and (f) as (d) and (e), respectively.

References in Text

The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996, referred to in subsec. (a)(5)(C), is Pub. L. 104–193, Aug. 22, 1996, 110 Stat. 2105 . For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title of 1996 Amendment note set out under section 1305 of this title and Tables.

Parts A and E of this subchapter, referred to in subsecs. (b), (c)(1), (d)(2), and (f), are classified to sections 601 et seq. and 670 et seq., respectively, of this title.

Amendments

1999-Subsec. (a)(2)(B)(i)(I). Pub. L. 106–169, §401(j), made technical amendment to reference in original act which appears in text as reference to August 22, 1996.

Subsec. (a)(5)(C). Pub. L. 106–169, §401(k), substituted "Opportunity Reconciliation Act" for "Opportunity Act".

Subsecs. (a)(6), (c)(1)(A). Pub. L. 106–169, §401(k), made technical amendment to reference in original act which appears in text as reference to August 22, 1996.

Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 106–169, §301(a), amended heading and text of subsec. (d) generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: "If the amounts collected which could be retained by the State in the fiscal year (to the extent necessary to reimburse the State for amounts paid to families as assistance by the State) are less than the State share of the amounts collected in fiscal year 1995 (determined in accordance with this section as in effect on the day before August 22, 1996), the State share for the fiscal year shall be an amount equal to the State share in fiscal year 1995."

Pub. L. 106–169, §401(k), made technical amendment to reference in original act which appears in text as reference to August 22, 1996.

1997-Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 105–33, §5547(1), substituted "subsections (e) and (f)" for "subsection (e)" in introductory provisions.

Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 105–33, §5532(c), inserted concluding provisions.

Subsec. (a)(2)(B)(i)(I), (ii)(I). Pub. L. 105–33, §5532(f)(1), in introductory provisions, struck out "(other than subsection (b)(1))" after "provisions of this section" and inserted "(other than subsection (b)(1) (as so in effect))" after "1996".

Subsec. (a)(2)(B)(ii)(II). Pub. L. 105–33, §5532(f)(2), substituted "paragraph (5)" for "paragraph (4)".

Subsec. (a)(4). Pub. L. 105–33, §5532(d), amended heading and text of par. (4) generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: "In the case of a family receiving assistance from an Indian tribe, distribute the amount so collected pursuant to an agreement entered into pursuant to a State plan under section 654(33) of this title."

Subsec. (a)(5). Pub. L. 105–33, §5532(e), substituted "1999" for "1998" in introductory provisions.

Subsec. (a)(6). Pub. L. 105–33, §5532(b)(1), added par. (6).

Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 105–33, §5532(a), substituted "assigned" for "which were assigned" and "and in effect on September 30, 1997 (or such earlier date, on or after August 22, 1996, as the State may choose), shall remain assigned after such date." for "and which were in effect on the day before August 22, 1996, shall remain assigned after August 22, 1996."

Subsec. (c)(2). Pub. L. 105–33, §5532(h)(1), substituted "is distributed" for "is collected".

Subsec. (c)(3)(A). Pub. L. 105–33, §5532(g), substituted "75 percent" for "the Federal medical assistance percentage (as defined in section 1318 of this title)".

Subsec. (c)(3)(B). Pub. L. 105–33, §5532(h)(2), substituted "as such section was in effect on September 30, 1995" for "as in effect on September 30, 1996".

Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 105–33, §5547(2), added subsec. (f).

1996-Pub. L. 104–193 substituted "collected support" for "proceeds" in section catchline and amended text generally. Prior to amendment, text consisted of subsecs. (a) to (d) relating to distribution of amounts collected by States as child support during 15 months beginning July 1, 1975, and during any fiscal year beginning after Sept. 30, 1976, distribution of support collected for families whose assistance under part A of this subchapter has terminated, and distribution of support collected on behalf of children for whom foster care maintenance payments were being made.

1988-Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 100–485 substituted "of such amounts as are collected periodically which represent monthly support payments, the first $50 of any payments for a month received in that month, and the first $50 of payments for each prior month received in that month which were made by the absent parent in the month when due," for "the first $50 of such amounts as are collected periodically which represent monthly support payments".

1987-Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 100–203 amended subsec. (c) generally, revising and restating as single unnumbered subsection provisions of former pars. (1) and (2).

1986-Subsec. (b)(3). Pub. L. 99–514, §1899(a), inserted "or administrative" after "court".

Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 99–514, §1883(b)(6), substituted "subsection (b)(4)(A) and (B)" for "subsection (b)(3)(A) and (B)".

1984-Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 98–378, §11(a)(2), inserted "(subject to subsection (d) of this section)" after "shall" in provisions preceding par. (1).

Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 98–369, §2640(b)(1), added par. (1). Former par. (1) redesignated (2).

Subsec. (b)(2). Pub. L. 98–369, §2640(b)(1), (2)(A), redesignated former par. (1) as (2), and inserted "which are in excess of any amount paid to the family under paragraph (1) and". Former par. (2) redesignated (3).

Subsec. (b)(3). Pub. L. 98–369, §2640(b)(1), (2)(B), redesignated former par. (2) as (3), and substituted "paragraph (2)" for "paragraph (1)". Former par. (3) redesignated (4).

Subsec. (b)(4). Pub. L. 98–369, §2640(b)(1), (2)(C), redesignated former par. (3) as (4), and substituted "paragraphs (1), (2), and (3)" for "paragraphs (1) and (2)".

Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 98–378, §7(a)(1), substituted "shall" for "may" in provisions preceding par. (1).

Subsec. (c)(2). Pub. L. 98–378, §7(a)(2), substituted "any amount so collected, which represents monthly support payments, to the family (without requiring any formal reapplication and without the imposition of any application fee) on the same basis as in the case of other individuals who are not receiving assistance under part A of this subchapter," for "the net amount of any amount so collected, which represents monthly support payments, to the family after deducting any costs incurred in making the collection from the amount of any recovery made,".

Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 98–378, §11(a)(1), added subsec. (d).

1981-Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 97–35, §2332(e)(1), substituted in provision preceding par. (1) "as support" for "as child support".

Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 97–35, §2332(e)(2), substituted in provision preceding par. (1) "whom support payments" for "whom child support payments" and in pars. (1) and (2) "amounts of support payments" for "amounts of child support payments" in two places and "amounts of support so" for "amounts of child support so".

1977-Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 95–171, §11(a)–(c), in par. (1), substituted "amounts of child support payments which represent monthly support payments" for "such support payments" and inserted ", which represent monthly support payments," after "amounts so collected"; in par. (2), substituted "amounts of child support payments which represent monthly support payments" for "such support payments" and inserted ", which represents monthly support payments," after "amount so collected"; changed to a comma the period at end of par. (2); and inserted provision for distribution of child support proceeds.

Effective Date of 1999 Amendment

Pub. L. 106–169, title III, §301(b), Dec. 14, 1999, 113 Stat. 1857 , provided that: "The amendment made by subsection (a) [amending this section] shall be effective with respect to calendar quarters occurring during the period that begins on October 1, 1998, and ends on September 30, 2001."

Pub. L. 106–169, title III, §301(c), Dec. 14, 1999, 113 Stat. 1857 , provided that the amendment made by section 301(c) is effective Oct. 1, 2001.

Amendment by section 401(j), (k) of Pub. L. 106–169 effective as if included in the enactment of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996, Pub. L. 104–193, see section 401(q) of Pub. L. 106–169, set out as a note under section 602 of this title.

Effective Date of 1997 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 105–33 effective as if included in the enactment of title III of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996, Pub. L. 104–193, see section 5557 of Pub. L. 105–33, set out as a note under section 608 of this title.

Effective Date of 1996 Amendment

Section 302(c) of Pub. L. 104–193 provided that:

"(1) In General.-Except as provided in paragraph (2), the amendments made by this section [amending this section and sections 654 and 664 of this title] shall be effective on October 1, 1996, or earlier at the State's option.

"(2) Conforming amendments.-The amendments made by subsection (b)(2) [amending section 654 of this title] shall become effective on the date of the enactment of this Act [Aug. 22, 1996]."

For provisions relating to effective date of title III of Pub. L. 104–193, see section 395(a)–(c) of Pub. L. 104–193, set out as a note under section 654 of this title.

Effective Date of 1988 Amendment

Section 102(c) of Pub. L. 100–485 provided that: "The amendments made by this section [amending this section and section 602 of this title] shall become effective on the first day of the first calendar quarter which begins after the date of the enactment of this Act [Oct. 13, 1988]."

Effective Date of 1986 Amendment

Amendment by section 1883(b)(6) of Pub. L. 99–514 effective Oct. 22, 1986, see section 1883(f) of Pub. L. 99–514, set out as a note under section 402 of this title.

Section 1899(b) of Pub. L. 99–514 provided that: "The amendment made by this section [amending this section] shall become effective on the date of the enactment of this Act [Oct. 22, 1986]."

Effective Date of 1984 Amendments

Section 7(b) of Pub. L. 98–378 provided that: "The amendments made by subsection (a) [amending this section] shall become effective October 1, 1984."

Amendment by section 11(a) of Pub. L. 98–378 effective Oct. 1, 1984, and applicable to collections made on or after that date, see section 11(e) of Pub. L. 98–378, set out as a note under section 654 of this title.

Section 2646 of Pub. L. 98–369 provided that: "Except as otherwise specifically provided in this subtitle [subtitle B (§§2611–2646) of Pub. L. 98–369], the provisions of parts 1 and 2 [sections 2611 to 2642 of Pub. L. 98–369, enacting section 1320b–6 of this title, amending this section and sections 602, 609, 614, 615, 1320a–6, 1382 to 1382b, 1382j, and 1383 of this title and section 51 of Title 26, Internal Revenue Code, and enacting provisions set out as notes under sections 602, 609, 614, 1320a–6, 1382a, and 1383 of this title and section 51 of Title 26] and the amendments made thereby shall take effect on October 1, 1984."

Effective Date of 1981 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 97–35 effective Oct. 1, 1981, except as otherwise specifically provided, see section 2336 of Pub. L. 97–35, set out as a note under section 651 of this title.

Section Referred to in Other Sections

This section is referred to in sections 608, 609, 652, 654, 654b, 664, 666 of this title.