Child Support by Debit Card

August 1, 2006

Author: Susan C. Antos

For years, custodial parents who were not on public assistance and who received child support through the IV-D system received that child support in the form of a check.  Several years ago, New York State began offering parents the option of having child support directly deposited into their bank accounts, and even more recently allowed custodial parents the option of receiving support through a debit card, called the EPPICard. Despite these technological advances, most parents did not opt into the electronic systems and continued to receive their child support via a paper check.

Beginning on September 15, 2006, persons who currently receive child support in the form of a paper check, will receive debit cards in the mail and a letter from the State Office of Child Support Enforcement (OCSE) advising them that unless they opt out within 20 days, they will have to access their child support funds with that debit card in the future.  By November 1, 2006, the mailing will be sent to all such persons.  Parents can opt out of the debit card program by returning a reply to OCSE, indicating that they wish to continue to receive their child support in the form of a paper check or that they wish to enroll in the direct deposit program. 

OCSE will monitor child support accounts and will follow up with  persons who have not opted out of the debit card program and who have not accessed their child support.

The debit card will look like a Master Card and will have some fees associated with its use.  Although purchases and cash back with purchases result in no fee, an ATM cash withdrawal has a ninety cent fee in addition to the bank surcharge, and a balance inquiry costs 50 cents.  More information on fees associated with the card can be found at: ttps://newyorkchildsupport.com/custodial_parent_services.html