New Mexico is changing how child support collections are distributed so more money is passed to families rather than to the government.
“This change will benefit low-income families and children in New Mexico,” Dr. David Scrase, the state’s Human Services Department (HSD) cabinet secretary, said in a news release. “A pass through of an additional $100 can make a real difference to a family who is living below the federal poverty line, which is what it takes to even qualify for TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) cash assistance.”
Per a Jan. 10 KRQE report, some payments parents made toward child support went to state and federal government agencies to pay back the government for cash advanced as part of the TANF program.
The changes double the amount of money (from $100 to $200) passed to families with two or more children, if child support payments are at least $200, according to KRQE. For families with one child, the pass-through amount is not changing and remains at $100 if child support payments are at least $100.
The change goes into effect Jan. 23 and will help up to 8,000 families in New Mexico, according to the HSD.