COVID-19 Stimulus Checks and Child Support

           On March 27, 2020, Congress passed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (“CARES”) Act, which, among other things, authorizes economic impact payments (also referred to as “stimulus payments” or “recovery rebate payments”) to eligible individuals.

           Individuals have already started receiving their stimulus payments with some receiving them last week and others still waiting on them. If you have not yet received your stimulus paycheck and otherwise qualify for a payment, the delay may be due to a child support obligation.

           New Hampshire’s Bureau of Child Support Services recently released a memo discussing stimulus checks in relation to child support. According to the memo, “On a monthly basis, the Bureau of Child Support Services (BCSS) reports child support arrears to the federal Treasury Offset Program. Pursuant to federal authority, the U.S. Treasury intercepts the support owed from federal income tax refunds, and sends it to BCSS. BCSS reached out to the federal Office of Child Support Enforcement and was informed that the Economic Impact Payment issued under the CARES Act is not exempt from child support, and therefore is being intercepted and sent to BCSS.”

           The likely outcome of this is that BCSS will use the stimulus proceeds to pay off a portion of an individual’s child support arrearage before releasing any remaining stimulus payment funds to the individual.

               Child support issues can be a complicated and challenging.  If you would like help with your case, please contact our family law team at Soule, Leslie, Kidder, Sayward & Loughman for assistance.

For more information about COVID-19 and child support: