STATE News:

SANTA FE – Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham proclaims the month of August 2021 on child support, welcomes all parents in New Mexico who support their children, and encourages all New Mexicans to work together to foster a better understanding of the importance of fulfilling financial responsibility for children .

“This year New Mexico made some important changes to the Child Assistance Program that has modernized it extensively and aligns it with federal regulations and national best practices,” said Governor Lujan Grisham. “Now is the time for New Mexico’s families to take advantage of the changes introduced in July and introduce more consistent child support payments for the children of New Mexico to keep them happy and healthy.”

The changes to child support were made through Senate Bill 140, which was passed unanimously by both houses of the Legislature, signed by Governor Lujan Grisham and came into force on July 1, 2021:

• Updated table of guidelines for child support based on parents ‘actual income and non-custodial parents’ solvency;
• Allows the ability to change a child support arrangement for the child’s health needs; and
• Reduce the timeframe for setting up retrospective child benefit from 12 to three years in order to improve the collection of child benefit.

“These changes will allow the New Mexico Child Support Program to continue its modernization efforts to deliver the right size court orders that the non-custodial parent can afford, resulting in more consistent payments and less debt, which will ultimately benefit the New Mexico children said HSD Cabinet Secretary David R. Scrase, MD

In an effort to inform about changes in the Child Support Program, the New Mexico Human Services Department is launching an advertising campaign: The Modern Child Support Family Program. The campaign kicks off during Child Support Awareness Month with public announcements on TV and radio in English and Spanish and Navajo on the radio.

“The ads are designed to inform the public of recent changes, including an emphasis on helping unconscious parents with career development and employment opportunities through a partnership with the Department of Workforce Solutions,” said HSD Assistant Secretary Kari Armijo. “The Supporting, Training, and Employment Parents Up (STEPUp!) Program is an important initiative to help unemployed or underemployed parents get the support services they need to find a job or a better job for theirs Support children and avoid further enforcement actions. . “

Employment and employers play an important role in the childcare program. During the past fiscal year, the Child Support Program raised $ 147.5 million in child benefit income, resulting in an average of $ 135.79 per child per month.

Fifty-five percent of these collections are made through employers’ withheld wages. Data from an HSD pilot program shows collections increased by 18.5 percent per child by focusing on providing employment opportunities and sustained participation in the labor market for unconscious parents.

“Employers deserve a huge thank you every month as they work hard to do their part to ensure that payments get to the child benefit program consistently,” said Betina Gonzales McCracken, assistant director, child support.

Note: During the month of August, parents with an active warrant for unpaid maintenance are encouraged to contact the Child Support Program to try to settle their warrant by paying the full bail without fear of arrest.

If a person is unable to pay the court-determined amount of the bail in full, a negotiated, reduced bail or payment schedule may be worked out on the amount of overdue child maintenance owed, with the consent of the parent receiving the maintenance and the consent of the court that issued the warrant. Parents without custody with a written job offer can negotiate a lower deposit payment if they have successfully withheld their wages.

Individuals with questions about Child Support Enforcement Month activities can contact the HSD Consolidated Customer Service Center at 1.800.283.4465.

For a copy of the Governor’s August Child Support Awareness Month proclamation, please visit https://www.hsd.state.nm.us/wp-content/uploads/071921-Child-Support-Awareness-Month-August-2021.pdf