New York Child Support Enforcement

State of New York, Aug 17, 2006

Commitment to Enforcement Brings More Resources to New York’s Children

Governor George E. Pataki today announced that for the 11th consecutive year, child support collections in New York State have reached record levels. In 2005 collections topped $1.5 billion, a 143 percent increase over collections in 1994.

“Whether it is providing health insurance through Child Health Plus, providing record increases to education funding, or increasing day care opportunities, we are doing everything we can to ensure that our children get the best start possible in life, and the collection of child support plays an important role in our efforts,” Governor Pataki said. “We have made the collection of child support a priority and for the 11th consecutive year, the results speak for themselves. All children have a basic right to be supported emotionally and financially by both parents and I am proud that the unprecedented level of child support collected has improved the lives of hundreds of thousands of New York’s children.”

The $1.5 billion in 2005 collections represents a $56 million increase over 2004, and the seventh consecutive year of collections totaling more than $1 billion. The collections included $561 million for New York City, an increase of 168 percent over 1994, and $944 million for the rest of the State, an increase of 131 percent since 1994.

Robert Doar, Commissioner of the State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance said, “Under Governor Pataki’s leadership we’ve become a national leader and model for the collection of child support. New York has revitalized child support collections by strengthening the cooperation between state agencies, utilizing innovative technology and increasing public awareness of this important issue. In addition the increase in child support has helped countless families move from a public assistance to self-sufficiency as more than $505 million of the $1.5 billion collected went to 226,600 former welfare families.”

In addition to New York City, 39 counties more than doubled collections since 1994. The counties, and percent increase, include Westchester, 190 percent; Rockland, 189 percent; Nassau, 180 percent; Ontario, 177 percent; Monroe, 168 percent; Dutchess, 163 percent; Schoharie, 158 percent; Seneca, 157 percent; Putnam, 155 percent; Suffolk, 147 percent; Ulster, 146 percent; Cattaraugus, 144 percent; Albany, 142 percent; Wayne, 141 percent; Greene, 138 percent; Saratoga, 136 percent; Sullivan, 135 percent; Clinton, 133 percent; Hamilton, 130 percent; Orange, 129 percent; Schenectady, 129 percent; Cayuga, 126 percent; Columbia, 125 percent; Tompkins, 121 percent. Yates, 118 percent; Onondaga, 118 percent; Livingston, 117 percent; St. Lawrence, 117 percent; Otsego, 115 percent; Genesee, 113 percent; Lewis, 112 percent; Rensselaer, 111 percent; Wyoming, 108 percent; Essex, 108 percent; Erie, 107 percent; Oswego, 104 percent; Warren, 104 percent; Jefferson, 102 percent; and Steuben, 101 percent.

Since 1995, Governor Pataki has made it clear that there is no element of personal responsibility more basic than parents’ obligation to provide for the support of their children. Utilizing aggressive action against non-paying parents and forging new partnerships among government agencies, New York’s child support system has been elevated to a new prominence, benefiting families and receiving national recognition.