Child support payments delayed by system glitch
ALBANY — Child support payments ordered by courts weren’t processed for three days this week because of a glitch in the system and there is no date for when the interruption will be fixed, according to the state agency handling the payments.
"Payment and disbursement transactions for March 29-31, 2021 were not able to be processed," states the child support section of the state Office of Temporary Disability Assistance. "You will not see payments or disbursements issued for these dates."
Work continued on the problem through Friday.
"A technical issue with the Child Support payment system interrupted payments from being issued this week to households served by the program," said Anthony Farmer of the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance. "OTDA is working with the state Office of Information Technology Services to identify affected households and correct the situation. OTDA expects to begin issuing payments again on Monday, April 5, and will work with families to mitigate the impact of this delay in payments to the best of our ability."
The state office didn’t respond to requests for comment on what created the problem and how many children were impacted.
Child support payments from divorce or other court orders, including those related to domestic violence, can be paid through the state agency. Payments can be made to parents with custody of children, through debit cards and direct deposit to bank accounts.
The state system of delivering child support is based on income and the number of children. The system serves children in lower- and middle-income families. More than 70% of child support paid in the state is taken directly by the state from the paycheck of the parent paying support. Payments can also be made to the state agency by check or money order. Self-employed or unemployed parents can send their payments to the state agency by mail or online.
The state child support enforcement agency takes action when payments by parents are missed.
Michael Gormley has worked for Newsday since 2013, covering state government, politics and issues. He has covered Albany since 2001.
