Assignment of Support Rights by Applicants for Public Assistance

An applicant for assistance under this Chapter is deemed to have assigned to the Department at the time of application all rights to child support from any other person the applicant may have on his own behalf or on behalf of any child for whom application is made. The assignment:

(a)is effective as to both current and accrued child support obligations;

(b)takes effect upon a determination that the applicant is eligible for assistance under this Chapter; and

(c)terminates when an applicant ceases to receive public assistance except with respect to the amount of any unpaid support obligation accrued under the assignment. Whenever an applicant to whom a duty to support is owed applies for assistance, the Department shall give him notice that these support rights will be assigned. If the applicant accepts support in money or in kind from the obligor after applying for public assistance, the applicant shall reimburse the Department for the amount of support so received. The Child Support Enforcement Office has authority to enforce this right on the Department’s behalf.