What services are you getting from the state of calif (specifically harbor regional) for your autistic child?

Why are fathers denied public assistance when owing child support and women are not?

• Why are fathers denied public assistance when owing child support and women are not? I have custody of my 2 children full time and their mother owes $17,125.00 in back due child support. Yet Child Support Enforcement will not file for a contempt hearing because she has been able to get AFDC. This is so unfair because father are not given this free ride and it is against US Code for anybody who owes child support to be eligible to receive public assistance as it say here; U.S. Code Title 7>Chapter 51>§ 2015. Eligibility disqualifications (m) Noncustodial parent’s cooperation with child support agencies (1) In general At the option of a State agency, subject to paragraphs (2) and (3), a putative or identified noncustodial parent of a child under the age of 18 (referred to in this subsection as “the individual”) shall not be eligible to participate in the food stamp program if the individual refuses to cooperate with the State agency administering the program established under part D of title IV of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 651 et seq.)— (A) in establishing the paternity of the child (if the child is born out of wedlock); and (B) in providing support for the child. (2) Refusal to cooperate (A) Guidelines The Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of Health and Human Services, shall develop guidelines on what constitutes a refusal to cooperate under paragraph (1). (B) Procedures The State agency shall develop procedures, using guidelines developed under sub paragraph (A), for determining whether an individual is refusing to cooperate under paragraph (1). ______________________________________… (n) Disqualification for child support arrears (1) In general At the option of a State agency, no individual shall be eligible to participate in the food stamp program as a member of any household during any month that the individual is delinquent in any payment due under a court order for the support of a child of the individual. (2) Exceptions Paragraph (1) shall not apply if— (A) a court is allowing the individual to delay payment; or (B) the individual is complying with a payment plan approved by a court or the State agency designated under part D of title IV of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 651 et seq.) to provide support for the child of the individual. ______________________________________… While this woman ran out after I was determined I was disabled it is beyond me as to why this is permitted and when will somebody wake up to the fact that these children need the financial stability. It also appears that mothers have several loop holes in getting away without paying their child support than men. Does anybody else see this?

• Answer:

  You would have to ask the Family Services Dept. It does say that only "refusal to cooperate" would render one ineligible...perhaps she has been cooperating, but just unable to pay? There is a difference. My BIL owes back child support, but I know that as long as he files the correct paperwork, he can continue to -not pay-, and not be penalized for it. If she doesn't have a job, all she has to do is file the right paperwork, and she can still qualify for food stamps, etc. Also, I don't know why you make the assumption that it has anything to do with being a man or a woman. Clearly there is nothing in the statute that would suggest that gender is relevant, and this one case is hardly evidence of anything. No, I don't see any "loopholes for mothers."