We applaud this policy win, but there is still much more work to do. The state continues to intercept approximately $150 million each year from low-income families that currently receive CalWORKs, rather than sending the money directly to parents and children who need it. Additionally, struggling families are saddled with $6.4 billion in debt to the government for past-due child support while their families are receiving public benefits and accruing a 10% interest rate, which is one of the highest rates in the country.
The Truth and Justice in Child Support Coalition asks the Legislature and Governor to keep up the momentum and continue to position California’s child support program as a truly family-centered, poverty-alleviation program by:
Planning for the 100% passthrough of child support to families currently receiving CalWORKs;
Providing debt relief for old and uncollectible child support debt owed by low-income parents to the state for past due child support while their families were receiving public benefits; and
Eliminating the egregious 10% interest rate on government-owed child support debt.
These child support issues are racial and economic justice issues; passing these policy priorities can help get families out of debt and towards economic security with relatively little cost to the state in a difficult budget year. Moreover, the California Reparations Task Force recommends the elimination of interest on past-due child support and recommends eliminating child support debt to address the harms created by the government’s pathologizing of Black families. Learn more about this issue here.
We thank the Truth and Justice in Child Support Coalition, the California Department of Child Support Services, the California Legislature, and Governor Newsom for advancing these important reforms that will support families.
Yours in Financial Justice,
Michelle and Cecilia
