Many custodial parents in New Jersey struggle to pay their bills without assistance from the state. This could be prevented if noncustodial parents paid their child support. That is why many states are becoming more creative in ways that they collect payments. Many states have the ability to garnish wages and intercept refunds from overpaid taxes, but only a handful of states have begun taking back payments for child support from casino winnings. New Jersey is one of these states.

A state that started this program earlier this month received its first child support payment just two days later. Another state managed to collect approximately $500,000 in a single year with this tactic. One study found that 225 winners at two separate casinos, all noncustodial parents, could have contributed more than $475,000 to their child support payments with their winnings.

Sometimes, some noncustodial parents do not take child support as seriously as they should. The payments are made to support the children. Many families that do not receive expected support from noncustodial parents are forced to acquire assistance from the state. This can be in the form of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or welfare. The money that supports these programs, however, comes from taxpayers. As budgets tighten across the nation, many states are creating new ways to acquire unpaid child support.

Parents who do not pay child support can find their assets seized, their license suspended or their passport revoked. They can even be held in contempt of court if legal action is taken. Statistics show that families that receive their expected child support payments fare better and are generally more self-sufficient than those who do not.

Source: KATC, “DCFS Intercepts First Casino Winnings For Child Support Debt,” Sept. 9, 2011