Connecticut State Law

A. General/Program-At-A-Glance

A1. How many local IV-D offices are in your state (excluding agencies with cooperative agreements)?

There are 12 field offices, which are located in Bridgeport, Danbury, Windsor, Manchester,Middletown, New Britain, New Haven,Norwich,Stamford, Waterbury and Torrington. 1 Central Office, located in Hartford. In addition there is a customer service call center.

A2. Does your state have statutes that define the attorney-client relationship between the state's attorney and the agency only?

Yes

A2.1. If yes, what is the statutory citation?

CGS 46b-231(t) For Additional Information - http://search.cga.state.ct.us/dtsearch_pub_statutes.html

A2.2. Did your state have the state's bar counsel issue an opinion setting the attorney-client relationship?

No

A2.3. If yes, please explain.

N/A

B. UIFSA

B1. What is the statutory citation for your state's UIFSA?

Sections 46b-301 to 46b-425, inclusive of the Connecticut General Statutes (CGS) For Additional Information - https://www.cga.ct.gov/current/pub/chap_817.htm

B2. How many copies or sets of documents does your state need for an intergovernmental case referral?

One original and one copy.

C. Reciprocity

C1. With which foreign countries does your state have a state level reciprocal agreement for child support enforcement? (Do not include federal foreign reciprocating countries in your answer.)

Bermuda; Mexico (the following 27 of 32 states): Aguascalientes, Nayarit, Baja California, Nuevo Leon, Campeche, Puebla, Chiapas, San Luis Potosi, Chihuahua, Queretaro, Coahuila, Quintana Roo, Colima, Sonora, Distrito Federal, Tabasco, Guanajuato, Tamaulipas, Guerrero, Tlaxcala, Hidalgo, Veracruz, Jalisco, Yucatan, Michoacan, Zacatecas, Morelos.

C1.1. Does your state exercise its option to receive Federal Funding Participation (FFP) for enforcement of spousal-only orders for foreign reciprocating countries?

No

C1.2. If yes, please explain.

N/A

C2. Has your state established reciprocity with any Native American tribal courts?

No

C2.1. If yes, list the tribes and identify services provided, if less than full services.

N/A

C3. Does your state accept direct applications from parents in non-reciprocating or non-treaty countries? **

Yes

C4. When a Hague Convention country seeks registration of a Convention support order in your state, does your state allow the country to send an abstract (or summary) of the order on the Hague Abstract of a Decision form in lieu of the complete text? (See UIFSA 706 (b) (1).) **

No

D. Age of Majority

D1. What is the age of majority in your state?

18

D2. What is the statutory citation for the age of majority?

Section 1-1d of the Connecticut General Statutes. For Additional Information - http://search.cga.state.ct.us/dtsearch_pub_statutes.html

D3. If not addressed in the order, at what age is child support automatically terminated as a matter of state law? Qualify, if necessary.

18; except support continues for unmarried children until completion of twelfth grade or the age of nineteen, whichever first occurs. Extension of support applies to dissolution of marriage, legal separation and annulment cases entered on or after July 1, 1994 in accordance with CGS Sec. 46b-84(b), and to all other cases in which the child did not reach age 18 before October 1, 2004 in accordance with CGS �� 17b-745, 46b-171, 46b-172, and 46b-215.

D4. Does the date of the order determine the law that is applied?

Yes

D4.1. If yes, please explain.

See D3.

D5. Does child support end if the child leaves the household, but does not emancipate?

No

D5.1. Optional comments regarding emancipation.

Statutory emancipation procedures are at CGS Secs. 46b-150 to 46b-150d, inclusive. Connecticut also recognizes common law emancipation under CGS Sec. 46b-150e.

D6. Does your state allow support to be paid beyond the age of majority under any circumstances (for example, the child is handicapped or in college)?

Yes

D6.1. If yes, please explain.

In the circumstances described in D3, and also if the child lives with a parent and has mental retardation, or a mental or physical disability, until age 21 in cases of dissolution of marriage, legal separation or annulment, for orders entered on or after October 1, 1997, in accordance with CGS Sec. 46b-84.

D7. Does your state automatically reduce current support owed for remaining children after one of the children in an order reaches the age of majority or otherwise emancipates?

No

D7.1. If yes, please describe the procedure.

N/A

D8. Does your state accept a application from a party after all of the children on the case have emancipated?

D8.1 If not, how does this affect interstate referrals?

E. Statute of Limitations

E1. What is your State's statute of limitations for collection of past-due support?

None For Additional Information - No Link Provided

E2. What is your State's statute of limitations for paternity establishment?

18 years For Additional Information - No Link Provided

E3. Is dormancy revival/renewal possible?

No

E3.1. If yes, please explain the circumstances when it's possible and how long it's possible.

Not applicable. For Additional Information - No Link Provided

F. Support Details

F1. What guideline type or method does your state use to calculate child support (for example, Shared Income Model, Percentage of Income Model, Melson Formula)?

Income shares. For Additional Information - No Link Provided

F2. Does your state charge interest on arrears?

No

F2.1. If yes, please indicate the amount of interest charged and any related conditions.

Not applicable For Additional Information - No Link Provided

F3. Does your state charge interest on retroactive support?

No

F3.1. If yes, please indicate the amount of interest charged and any related conditions.

Not applicable

F4. Does your state charge interest on adjudicated arrears?

No

F4.1. If yes, please indicate the amount of interest charged and any related conditions.

Not applicable For Additional Information - No Link Provided

F5. Will your state enforce a medical debt for 50 percent of the uninsured portion?

Yes

F5.1. If yes, under what circumstances?

If the court orders 50% unreimbursed medical expenses, and finds payments not made.

F6. Does your state elect to recover costs or charge fees in your IV-D state plan?

No

F6.1. If yes, what costs are recovered from or fees charged to the obligee?

Connecticut does not recover costs, but the following fees are charged: $15 for each name certified to the IRS; and $10 ($14 if SSN not provided) for location-only services.

F6.2. If yes, what costs are recovered from or fees charged to the obligor?

Genetic testing costs if the putative father's paternity is acknowledged or adjudicated; service of process fees.

F7. Does your state recover costs on behalf of the initiating state?

No

F7.1. Optional comments regarding recovery of initiating state's fees.

None

F8. What is the statutory citation for your state's long-arm statute to establish or enforce child support?

CGS Sec. 46b-212d For Additional Information - http://search.cga.state.ct.us/dtsearch_pub_statutes.html

F9. Does your state establish, enforce, or modify spousal maintenance orders?

Yes

F9.1. If yes, under what circumstances?

In UIFSA responding cases and in IV-D cases in which the child who is the subject of the support action is living with the parent for whom the maintenance order is issued.

F10. Does your state require the initiating state to include information about the new spouse or partner upon a request for establishment or modification? (See General Testimony, AT-11-07)

Yes, if available

F10.1. Optional comments regarding required information on spouse or partner.

None

F11. How does your state impose and collect the mandatory annual fee applicable to IV-D cases for people who never received IV-A assistance?

The $25.00 annual fee is deducted from payments sent to the custodial party if at least $500 in support is disbursed to the CP during the FFY from October 1 - September 30.

F11.1. Does your state collect the fee by retaining the support collected on behalf of the person but not the first $500?

Yes.

F11.2 Does your state collect the fee from the person applying for IV-D services?

Yes.

F11.3. Does your state collect the fee from the absent parent?

No.

F11.4. Does your state pay the fee out of its own funds?

No.

F12. When did your state implement the required Deficit Reduction Act (DRA) limited-assignment provision?

October 1, 2008.

F13. Will your state pass through (and disregard for TANF eligibility purposes) the excepted portion to families in current assistance cases?

Yes; currently, up to $50.00 per month.

F14. Does your state participate in the pass-through in former assistance cases?

No.

F14.1. If yes, provide the date.

Not applicable

F15. Will your state discontinue eligible assignments under the DRA of 2005?

Yes

F15.1. If yes, list the eligible assignments your state would discontinue.

Assignments of pre '97 and post '97 pre-assistance arrearages.

F15.2. When will your state discontinue each type of assignment?

October 1, 2008

F16. Does your state follow PRWORA or DRA distribution ordering rules in former assistance cases?

PRWORA.

F17. What are your state's requirements to redirect payments from the court-order payee when a child on the order is receiving TANF with a different payee?

Public Act no. 06-149 authorizes BCSE and SES to change the payee of a support order administratively in IV-D cases upon notice to the obligor and the obligee, provided neither the obligor nor the obligee objects in writing within 10 business days from the mailing date of such notice. The notice is sent to the most recent address of the obligor and obligee, as recorded in the state case registry, and filed with the court or family support magistrate after expiration of the challenge period. If either party objects to the administrative change of payee, BCSE or SES will pursue the payee change via the court process, using a motion to add a party plaintiff. For Additional Information - No Link Provided

F17.1. What are your state's requirements to redirect payments from the court-order payee when a child on the order is receiving Medicaid only with a different payee?

See F17. For Additional Information - No Link Provided

F17.2. What are your state's requirements to redirect payments from the court-order payee when a child on the order is with a different payee and not receiving TANF or Medicaid only?

See F17 For Additional Information - No Link Provided

F17.3. How does your state collect the $25.00 annual fee on never-TANF cases?

The $25.00 annual fee is deducted from payments sent to a custodial party if at least $500 in support is disbursed to the CP during the FFY from October 1 - September 30

F18. Will your state recover costs from a U.S. resident non-custodial parent in foreign reciprocating or treaty cases? **

No

F18.1 If yes, describe all costs arising in practice (for example, court costs or legal fees). **

F19. Does your state send CSENet transactions to request interest information?(MSC R GRINT)

F20. Does your state send CSENet transactions to provide another state with interest and arrears information? (MSC P GSTAI)

G. Income Withholding

G1. What specific source of income is not subject to withholding?

Any source that does not fall under the sources of income identified in C.G.S. 52-362(a)5. Those from Federally exempt sources. For Additional Information - http://search.cga.state.ct.us/dtsearch_pub_statutes.html

G2. Does your state have any limits on income withholding in addition to the Consumer Credit Protection Act (CCPA) limits?

Yes

G2.1. If yes, what are those limits?

85% of the first $145 of disposable income per week is exempt from withholding.

G3. What is the allowable fee per pay period employers may charge for processing income withholding payments?

None For Additional Information - No Link Provided

G4. After receiving an income withholding order or notice, what is the date by which the employer is required to implement income withholding?

The first pay period, or the date of periodic payment that occurs, after 14 days following the date of service of the withholding order.

G5. What is the date by which an employer must remit amounts withheld from an employee's pay?

Within 7 days of the date the obligor is paid.

G6. What are your state's procedures for sanctioning employers for not implementing income withholding?

Contempt action and civil action for amounts not withheld.

G7. What is the penalty to an employer for failure to remit payments withheld?

Repayment of the full amount not withheld since receipt of proper notice. For Additional Information - No Link Provided

G8. Does your state allow direct income withholding of unemployment insurance (UI) benefits across state lines?

No

G8.1. Explain your process for receiving direct withholding orders across state lines.

The Standard two-state UIFSA request for enforcement. For Additional Information - No Link Provided

G8.2. What documents are required to intercept UI benefits?

Standard two-state UIFSA request for enforcement; CT Department of Labor does not accept direct income withholding orders at this time.

G9. Does your state allow direct income withholding of workers' compensation (WC) benefits across state lines?

Yes

G9.1. Optional comments regarding direct withholding of WC benefits across state lines.

Permitted by CGS Sec. 52-362(a)(5).

G10. How does an obligor contest income withholding in your state?

In direct income withholding cases, obligor may contest income withholding by registering the order and filing a contest to the order under UIFSA (CGS 46b-213w(j)).

G11. When the obligor has more than one claim for child support against his or her income, what is your state's priority scheme for income-withholding orders? For example, the employer should allocate the available amount for withholding equally among all orders or prorate available amount across orders.

Child support withholdings have priority over other types of wage executions. Current financial and medical support has priority over arrearage payments. Multiple withholdings allocated in proportion to amount of orders.

G11.1. If an employer in your state receives more than one income withholding order for child support from other states, can the employer request your assistance?

Yes

G11.2. If assistance is not available, explain how employers should proceed. Provide a citation for the state law that governs how they should proceed.

Not Applicable For Additional Information - No Link Provided

G12. Does your state require any mandatory deductions, such as union dues or medical insurance premiums, to arrive at net pay from gross pay when calculating disposable income for child support purposes?

Yes, federal, state and local income taxes, employment taxes, normal retirement contributions, union dues and initiation fees, group life and health insurance premiums (CGS 52-362(a)(2)).

G13. When does your state require the employer to send notice of an employee's termination?

Promptly upon termination (CGS 52-362(k)). For Additional Information - http://search.cga.state.ct.us/dtsearch_pub_statutes.html

G14. How long should an employer retain the income withholding orders (IWO) after terminating an employee, in anticipation of reinstating the withholding should the employee be rehired?

Option of the employer.

G15. Does your state charge any fees to the obligor that the employer must withhold and remit to the state?

No.

G16. Does your state offer an alternate web-based payment mechanism in addition to paper and EFT/EDI?

Yes, ACH Debit program for obligors and employers, and Western Union. For Additional Information - No Link Provided

G17. Can another state send a direct income withholding order to any of the following in your state: employer, financial institution (explain which institutions), bureau of workers' compensation, or other income payer?

No limitation. (CGS 52-362(a)(5). For Additional Information - http://search.cga.state.ct.us/dtsearch_pub_statutes.html

G18. If there is insufficient income for an employer to withhold for both the total amount of child support and medical support, describe your state's prioritization between child support and medical support.

Income Withholding: Child support, then medical support. For Additional Information - No Link Provided

G19. If your state has more than one state or jurisdiction requesting to collect support for the same obligor/obligee combination under the same court order for the same children, (for example where current support goes to the CP and other states have claims for past periods based on payment of TANF), what is your state's procedure for distributing payments among these arrears claims?

G20. If your practice for distribution of payments between cases is directed by state law or rule, what is the citation?

CGS 52-362(g) For Additional Information - http://search.cga.state.ct.us/dtsearch_pub_statutes.html

G21. Does your state's law require a signature on the income withholding order?

H. Paternity

H1. When your state enters an order establishing paternity, do you also address issues of custody and visitation?

No

H1.1. If yes, please explain.

Not Applicable

H2. What is the percentage of probability for genetic testing that creates a rebuttable or conclusive presumption of paternity?

99% or greater.(CGS 46b-168). For Additional Information - http://search.cga.state.ct.us/dtsearch_pub_statutes.html

H3. Optional comments regarding legislation that makes paternity acknowledgments conclusive.

May be challenged after duress, fraud, or mistake of fact. CGS Sec. 46b-172(a)(2). For Additional Information - http://search.cga.state.ct.us/dtsearch_pub_statutes.html

H4. What is the effective date of the state law that makes paternity acknowledgments conclusive?

10/01/1991

H4.1. Were acknowledgments prior to that effective date rebuttable?

Yes

H4.2. Optional comments regarding paternity acknowledgments prior to that date.

"New trial" could be petitioned for. For Additional Information - No Link Provided

H5. Does marriage constitute a rebuttable presumption of paternity?

Yes

H5.1. If yes, how is the presumption rebutted?

An acknowledgment of paternity or court paternity finding based on clear and convincing evidence such as genetic tests. For Additional Information - No Link Provided

H6. If the father's name is on the birth certificate and paternity has not been established by any other means, does this mean conclusive determination of paternity?

Yes

H6.1. If no, briefly explain.

Yes,if executed on or after June 1, 1998. For Additional Information - No Link Provided

H7. What is the effective date of the state law that makes a father's name on the birth certificate a conclusive determination of paternity?

June 1, 1998

H8. Does your state have any other paternity-related presumptions?

Yes

H8.1. If yes, briefly explain.

If the child is born before the marriage and then the parties subsequently intermarry there is a paternity presumption. CGS 45a-438(b)

H9. Does your state have a putative fathers' registry?

No

H9.1. If yes, what is the name of that entity?

Not applicable For Additional Information - No Link Provided

H10. Are there any fees for requesting searches, paternity documents and data from your state's bureau of vital statistics?

Yes

H10.1. If yes, please describe any circumstances under which these fees may be waived.

Fees are waived for other IV-D agencies for the purpose of pursuing child support. For Additional Information - No Link Provided

H11. Is common-law marriage recognized in your state?

No

H11.1. If yes, briefly describe the standard that defines common-law marriage.

Not applicable

H11.2. When did your current common-law standard go into effect?

H11.3. If there was a common-law standard in effect prior to your current standard, what was that standard and when did it go into effect?

Not applicable For Additional Information - No Link Provided

H12. When the custodial party and/or other witnesses are not able to appear in person for paternity hearings, what methods of testimony are acceptable; for example, written, videotape, and teleconferencing?

Teleconferencing.

H13. Give the statutory citation for your state's long-arm statute and list any special provisions.

CGS 46b-160, CGS46b-212 - 46b-213 inclusive For Additional Information - http://search.cga.state.ct.us/dtsearch_pub_statutes.html

H14. Does your state recover genetic testing costs for another state?

No

H14.1. If yes, please explain.

Not applicable.

H15. List any documents required to get the father's name on the birth certificate. For example, is an acknowledgment of paternity needed?

Documents required to get a father's name on the birth certificate are either a voluntary Acknowledgment of Paternity or a court order(Adjudication of Paternity)

H16. If there is more than one child with the same custodial party and the same alleged father, should one set of documents be sent to your state (with a paternity affidavit for each child) or should a separate packet be sent for each child?

One set of documents with a paternity affidavit for each child.

I. Support Order Establishment

I1. Does your state use an administrative, judicial, or a combined process to establish a support obligation?

Connecticut uses a combined process

I1.1. If your state can establish under both, under what circumstances would the administrative process be used?

Administrative process is used only when noncustodial parent agrees to the amount of support indicated by the child support guidelines.

I1.2. Under what circumstances would a judicial process would be used?

Judicial process is used when the noncustodial parent does not agree to the guidelines amount.

I1.3. If your state uses an administrative process, provide the statutory citations for your state's administrative procedures.

Section 46b-172b, of the Connecticut General Statutes, for "agreement to support". For Additional Information - http://search.cga.state.ct.us/dtsearch_pub_statutes.html

I2. In setting support under your state's guidelines, whose income is considered in addition to the noncustodial (NCP's) (for example, new spouses or children)?

The custodial parent's only. For Additional Information - No Link Provided

I3. What criteria for rebutting your presumptive guidelines have been established in your state?

Other financial resources available to a parent; extraordinary expenses for care and maintenance of the child; extraordinary parental expenses; needs of a parent's other dependents; coordination of total family support; special circumstances. The deviation criteria are listed in detail at Sec. 46b-215a-3 of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies. For Additional Information - http://search.cga.state.ct.us/dtsearch_pub_statutes.html

I4. Will your state establish support orders for prior periods?

Yes

I4.1. If yes, for what prior periods (for example, birth of the child, date of separation, prenatal expenses, 5 years retroactive)?

Birth of child, date of separation, or three years prior to filing in paternity cases or support cases where the child is born out of wedlock, whichever is applicable. This applies to both fathers and mothers.

I4.2. What information or documentation does your State require to proceed?

Past ability to pay, if known; current ability to pay, if past ability not known; if current ability not known, past ability based on work history, if known. If not known, state minimum wage in effect during that period. If based on existing court order, an arrearage affidavit of the payee. For Additional Information - No Link Provided

I4.3. Will your state allow a petition for support when the only issue is retroactive support?

Yes

I4.4. If there are limitations upon your state's ability to establish support for prior periods, specify those limitations.

See I4.1.

I5. What actions can your state perform using the administrative process? For example, does your state use an administrative process for paternity, establishment, modification, and the enforcement of child support?

Acknowledgement of paternity, CGS 46b-172a; Agreement to Support, CGS 46b-172b; administrative genetic testing, CGS 46b-168a; lien against real or personal property of obligor, CRA reporting, Lottery prize offset, CGS 52-362d; tax refund offset, CGS 52-362e. For Additional Information - http://search.cga.state.ct.us/dtsearch_pub_statutes.html

I6. What is your state's statutory authority for the administrative process?

46b-172a; 46b-172b For Additional Information - http://search.cga.state.ct.us/dtsearch_pub_statutes.html

I7. Is there a local state law that allows an interstate administrative subpoena?

No. For Additional Information - No Link Provided

I8. Does your state require that a custodial party receiving public assistance, who is not one of the biological parents, have legal custody of a child before establishing an order for support for that child?

No. For Additional Information - No Link Provided

I9. Does your state require that a custodial party who is not one of the biological parents, have legal custody of a child before establishing an order for support for that child when public assistance is not being expended?

No.

I10. Does your state require that a custodial party, who is not one of the biological parents, have legal custody of a child before enforcing an order for support that was issued to the biological parents as the parties for non-public assistance cases?

No.

I11. When your state has issued an order that reserves support and now child support should now be ordered, should the other state request an establishment or a modification?

Modification.

I12. When there is an existing support order between the parents of a child, and the child's residence changes from one parent to the other, does your state require that the new custodian obtain legal custody before a support order is modified or established?

No.

I13. When there is an existing support order between the parents of a child, and the child's residence changes from one parent to the other, does your state require that the new custodian obtain legal custody before support can be redirected to the new payee?

Yes; and also a new guidelines study and order modification.

I14. What methods of personal service does your state use? **

Forward documents needing to be served to the sheriff or other public official.

I15. Does your state send and receive pleadings and documents electronically in international cases? **

No

I15.1 If yes, specify the types of pleadings and documents your state can send and receive electronically. **

I16. When establishing a child support order, what can be included as add-ons to the child support guideline amount? **

Child care expenses Cash medical support Extraordinary expenses - medical expenses in extraordinary situations

I17. Please provide the relevant statutory or case law citation. **

46b-215a; 46b-215b For Additional Information - http://search.cga.state.ct.us/dtsearch_pub_statutes.html

I18. Does your state encourage amicable solutions between parents in order to promote voluntary payment of support, such as the use of mediation, conciliation, or similar consent processes? **

Yes

I18.1 If yes, indicate the appropriate responses. **

The use of mediation, conciliation, or similar processes is encouraged in every child support case.

J. Support Enforcement

J1. Indicate whether your state has the following enforcement remedies available. Also indicate what procedures are available (i.e., judicial, administrative, or both).

J1.1. Are your state income tax refund procedures judicial, administrative, or both?

Administrative.

J2. Is the lien process in your state judicial, administrative, or both?

Administrative.

J2.1. What are the trigger criteria for filing a lien?

Past Due Support of $500 or more. For Additional Information - No Link Provided

J2.2. Where are your state liens filed?

Real Property - town clerks.

J2.3. Does your state charge a fee for filing a lien?

Yes

J2.4. If yes, please indicate the amount.

$10.00 - $15.00.

J.3. Does your state enforce property seizure and sale?

Yes

J3.1. Are the property seizure and sale procedures judicial, administrative, or both?

Administrative and judicial. Administrative under CGS Sec. 52-362d(d),(e) requires $500 overdue support (i.e., delinquency).

J4. Are the MSFIDM freeze and seize procedures in your state judicial, administrative, or both?

Administrative

J4.1. When must an NCP receive notice that a MSFIDM freeze and seize action is an enforcement remedy and may be used by the state to collect delinquent child support?

When case becomes delinquent, concurrent with freeze notice to institution.

J4.2. Does your state's income withholding definition include amounts in financial institutions?

No. For Additional Information - No Link Provided

J4.3. Does your state require a new notice to be sent when intent to freeze and seize is sent?

Yes

J4.3.1 If yes, who notifies the NCP, the state or the financial institution?

The state.

J5. What are the time frames if a new notice of intent to freeze and seize must be sent?

Concurrent with notice to institution.

J5.1. What are the criteria that must be met to deem an obligor eligible for freeze and seize action in your state?

$500.00 minimum delinquency. No specified number of months delinquent. No accounts exempted.

J5.2. What is the minimum delinquent dollar amount that makes an obligor eligible for asset seizure?

$500.00. For Additional Information - No Link Provided

J5.3. Is there a specified amount of time of delinquency required prior to proceeding with freeze and seize?

None

J5.3.1. If yes, please provide the time frame.

Not applicable

J5.4. Are only a certain percentage of the obligor's financial assets eligible for freeze and seize?

No

J5.4.1. If yes, provide the percentage.

Not applicable

J5.4.2. Is the percentage different for joint accounts?

No

J5.4.3. If yes, describe.

Not applicable

J5.5. Does your state require a minimum amount of money in a financial account for the funds to be eligible for freeze and seize action? If so, provide the amount.

No.

J5.6. Who is responsible for applying the minimum amount, your state or the financial institution?

N/A.

J5.7. How long does the obligor or other account holders have to contact your state child support enforcement agency or court to challenge the Freeze and Seize action?

Sixty (60) days. For Additional Information - No Link Provided

J5.8. If state law or policy allows for a second contest to a freeze and seize action, how long does the obligor or joint account holder have to contact your child support agency or court to challenge the freeze and seize action?

45 days of receipt of administrative hearing decision.

J5.9. On what basis can an obligor and/or other account holder challenge a Freeze and Seize action?

Mistaken identity, wrong amount, amount less than minimum, no orders. For Additional Information - No Link Provided

J5.10. Is your state's complaint review process judicial, administrative, or both?

Both, if appealed.

J5.11. What are your state's penalties for incorrect seizures?

None

J5.12. Is the second challenge administrative, judicial, or both?

Judicial.

J5.13. What is your state's appeal time frame, unique appeal requirements and recourse for non-debtor accounts?

45 days from date of receipt of administrative hearing decision. No unique requirements. No recourse for non-debtor.

J5.14. Is the freeze and seize operation in your state centralized or automated?

Centralized. Not automated.

J5.15. Are there additional freeze and seize requirements or limitations not otherwise noted in this profile?

Per CGS Sec. 52-362d(d), an order of another state must be registered in this state.

J5.16. Does your state have procedures to liquidate non-liquid assets (for example, stocks, bonds, etc)?

No

J5.16.1 If yes, provide the state authority and the procedures financial institutions should follow to liquidate non-liquid assets.

Not applicable For Additional Information - No Link Provided

J5.17. Does your state law or policies instruct the financial institution or state to hold the frozen assets during the challenge or appeal time frame or freeze period?

Yes. For Additional Information - No Link Provided

J5.18. How long does the financial institution have to send the obligor's assets to your child support enforcement agency?

No time specified. For Additional Information - No Link Provided

J6. Does your state withhold state funds or benefits?

Yes

J6.1. If yes, is the method of withholding state benefits judicial, administrative or both?

Administrative for all forms of funds/benefits. Same criteria as listed in J4.1.

J7. Describe any other administrative enforcement procedures your state may have.

Administrative withholding of lottery winnings under CGS Sec. 52-362d(c); CRA reporting; no debt threshold.

J8. Describe any other judicial enforcement procedures your state may have.

Yes; contempt citation under CGS Sec. 46b-231 and criminal prosecution under CGS Secs. 53-304 to 53-308, inclusive.

J9. If your State has established specific procedures for registering administrative liens, what are the procedures that another State must follow?

Register order for enforcement under UIFSA and request lien remedy, fully describing the subject property, including type and location. For Additional Information - No Link Provided

J10. Which of your state's enforcement remedies are available without judicial actions?

Income withholding.

J11. Describe your state's procedures for registering and enforcing another state's order.

UIFSA registration under sections 46b-213g to 46b-213n, inclusive of the Connecticut General Statutes. Support Enforcement Services files documents in registry of support orders in Family Support Magistrate Division and notifies non-registering party. If non-registering party fails to contest registration, order is confirmed. If non-registering party contests registration, a hearing is held. Support Enforcement Services uses all available remedies to enforce order.

J12. Describe additional judicial procedures required after registration, if any, to enforce a support order.

None.

J13. Has your state adopted the Uniform Enforcement of Foreign Judgments Act (UEFJA)?

Yes

J13.1. If yes, provide the statutory citation.

Sections 52-604 to 52-609, inclusive of the Connecticut General Statutes. For Additional Information - http://search.cga.state.ct.us/dtsearch_pub_statutes.html

J14. What are your state's criteria for reporting an obligor's child support information to credit bureaus?

Connecticut will only report information to participating credit reporting agencies in IV-D cases(AFDC and Non-AFDC). The total amount of overdue support on a case must be at least $1000.00. A notice of action must be mailed to the obligor and provide the obligor an opportunity to request a fair hearing.

J15. To which credit bureaus does your state report an obligor's child support information?

Experian

J16. Is the method for credit bureau reporting judicial, administrative, or both?

Administrative

J17. These questions describe state procedures for Automated Administrative Enforcement in Interstate Cases (AEI). Refer to OCSE-AT-08-06 for additional information about AEI.

J18. What data matches with financial institutions and other entities (and the seizure of such assets) are available through AEI in your state? Examples may include liens and levies, MSFIDM, FIDM, state benefits (lump sum), state lottery, state income tax, etc.

MSFIDM, FIDM

J19. What documentation does your state require to proceed with an AEI request?

Transmittal #1, Registration Request (with certified affidavit of arrearage), and verification of asset.

J20. What mandatory data elements does your state need to process AEI requests?

See J19-all relevant information and documentation as required with registration of order, copy of the most recent data match for asset. For Additional Information - http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/cse/pol/AT/2008/at-08-06.htm

J21. Which additional data elements would aid your state in processing AEI requests?

See J20

J22. How many copies/sets of documents does your state require with an AEI request?

Same requirements as registration request through Central Registry.

J23. What are the criteria that must be met to deem an obligor eligible for any AEI matches available in the state, aside from liens/levies and MSFIDM?

Registration of order and an overdue balance (delinquency) of $500.00 or more.

J24. Does your state's law require financial institutions doing business in your state to accept freeze and seize actions directly from other states?

No

J24.1. If no, then describe the process for a freeze and seize action from another child support agency (for example, Transmittal #1 or Transmittal #3), and list the additional documentation required.

See J18-J23 Per CGS Sec. 52-362d(d), an order of another state must be registered in Connecticut.

J25. What is the procedure for obtaining a certified copy of a court order?

A certified copy of a court order can be obtained by contacting the clerk's office of the court for the jurisdiction the order was established in.

J26. What is the procedure for obtaining a certified payment record?

A certified payment record can be obtained by contacting the Support Enforcement Services office for the jurisdiction in which the noncustodial parent resides.

J27. Is there a cost for requesting a certified copy of a court order or payment record?

J28. What are your state's policies and practices for driver's license revocation for nonpayment of support and reinstatement, especially for low income parents or a hardship exemption?

J29. What triggers a driver's license revocation?

J29.1 Is there a threshold arrears amount that serves as the basis to revoke or suspend a driver's license?

J29.2 If yes, what is the amount?

J30. Under what conditions may a noncustodial party restore the driver's license?

J30.1 What is the process for restoring a driver's license?

J31. Does your state allow temporary or conditional driver's licenses?

J31.1 If yes, what are the conditions?

J32. Describe any innovations or special practices your state uses regarding driver's license revocation and reinstatement.

J33. When your state is the initiating state, does it submit delinquent cases to the Debtor File for federal administrative offset?

J33.1 If yes, does your state require a minimum dollar amount greater than $25.00 before submitting delinquent cases for administrative offset?

J33.2 What is the dollar amount?

J35. When your state is the initiating state, does it submit delinquent cases to the Debtor File for insurance match?

Yes

J35.1 If yes, does your state require a minimum dollar amount greater than $25.00 before submitting delinquent cases for insurance match?

N/A

J36. When your state is the responding state, does it submit delinquent cases to the Debtor File for federal administrative offset?

J36.1 If yes, does your state require a minimum dollar amount greater than $25.00 before submitting delinquent cases for federal administrative offset?

J36.2 What is the dollar amount?

J38. When your state is the responding state, does it submit delinquent cases to the Debtor File for insurance match?

J38.1 If yes, does your state require a minimum dollar amount greater than $25.00 before submitting delinquent cases for insurance match?

J38.2 What is the dollar amount?

J39. When your state is the responding state, does it submit delinquent cases to the Debtor File for passport denial?

J40. Does your state give the NCP credit for Retirement, Survivors, and Disability Insurance (RSDI) benefits received directly by the CP?

K. Modification and Review/Adjustment

K1. How frequently does your state conduct order reviews in IV-D cases (for example, every year, every three years)?

As requested by either parent, but no more frequently than every three years unless there is a substantial change in circumstances. For Additional Information - No Link Provided

K2. Briefly describe your state's modification procedure.

On request of either parent and, in TANF cases, in accordance with Deficit Reduction Act of 2005. A direct interstate referral form requesting review and adjustment of the order must be sent to the local Support Enforcement Services(SES) office. SES will prepare appropriate motion if jurisdiction can be obtained. SES will notify the requesting jurisdiction of results.

K3. What are your criteria for modification (for example, $50 or 20% from present order)?

There must be a 15% change in income, or a change in circumstances.

K4. Which of the following criteria for demonstrating a change in circumstances apply for modifying an order?

K4.1. The earnings of the obligor have substantially increased or decreased.

Yes

K4.2. The earnings of the obligee have substantially increased or decreased.

Yes

K4.3. The needs of a party or the child(ren) have substantially increased or decreased.

Yes

K4.4. The cost of living as measured by the Federal Bureau of Vital Statistics has changed.

No

K4.5. The child(ren) has extraordinary medical expenses not covered by insurance.

Yes

K4.6. There has been a substantial change in childcare expenses.

Yes

K4.7. What other criteria does your state use for demonstrating a change in circumstances for modifying an order?

Additional children or a change in living arrangements for the child(ren)

K5. Does your state have cost of living adjustments (COLAs) for orders?

No

K5.1. If yes, what index does your state use?

Not applicable

K6. How does your state credit SSA disability to current and past-due support?

A guidelines study is done. The NCP is credited on the current support amount for the SSA benefit. The NCP is then ordered to pay the difference between the guidelines amount and the SSA credit/adjustment.

K7. Does your state abate support? For example, when the child is not living with the CP for more than 30 days and there has not been a change in custody or when the NCP is in prison, etc.

Yes

K7.1. If yes, explain the circumstances?

In situations where there is a court ordered change in custody to the obligor and support is not addressed, it is automatic by operation of law. If an NCP is institutionalized or imprisoned, a modification is required.

K7.2. What is the statutory citation for your abatement law?

46b-224 (Custody Change) , 46b-215e(prison) For Additional Information - No Link Provided

K7.3. What documents does your state require for each type of referral other than UIFSA referrals? For example, pay records and certifications for TANF, etc.

Transmittal #3 For Additional Information - No Link Provided

K7.4. What information does your state need to obtain copies of paternity acknowledgements/affidavits and birth records, including where to make requests and the cost of processing the requests.

The names of both parents, in addition to the child's name, date of birth and place of birth. All requests must be sent to the following: CT Department of Public Health State Office of Vital Records 410 Capitol Ave. MS#11VRS P.O. Box 340308 Hartford, CT 06134-0308 Transmittal #1, Registration Statement (if not already a registered order), Uniform Support Petition, General Testimony (including the affidavit of arrears), certified copy of current court order and copy of all prior orders

K8. What information does your state require to register an out-of-state order for enforcement/modification?

For enforcement only: Transmittal #1, two copies, including one certified copy, of the order to be registered, including any modification of the order, CGS 46b-213h(a) For registration for enforcement and modification: Transmittal #1, Registration statement, Unform Support Petition, General Testimony including arrears affidavit, certified copy of the most recent court order plus copies of all modifications.

K9. When a child reaches the age of emancipation and arrears are owed on the order, and there is no established payment on arrears, does your state statute allow collection to continue at the same rate as current support?

No, but an amount in accordance to the guidelines can be established administratively. This amount typically is 50% of the current support amount.

K9.1. When a child reaches the age of emancipation and arrears are owed on the order, and there is an established payment on arrears, does your state statute allow collection to continue at the same rate as current support, current support plus arrears, or the arrears payment amount only?

The arrears payment amount only.

K10. What circumstances will cause your state to end child support before the normal duration? **

The child emancipates before the normal duration The child marries The child is adopted by someone other than the non-custodial parent The child support order states that child support ceases prior to the normal duration

L. Payments

L1. Does your state define a lump sum payment?

No

L1.1 If yes, give your state's definition. (Be specific, for example, severance pay, incentives, relocation lump sum payments, etc.).

N/A

L1.2 Provide the statutory citation.

N/A For Additional Information - No Link Provided

L2. Does your state law require employers to report lump sum payments?

No

L2.1 If yes, give the statutory citation or rule.

N/A For Additional Information - No Link Provided

L3. Are employers required to report lump sum payments for all income-withholding orders (including cases with no arrears)?

No

L3.1 If yes, what is the threshold amount at which a lump sum payment must be reported?

N/A

L4. How are employers instructed to report a pending lump sum?

N/A

L5. What is the timeframe within which the child support enforcement agency must respond to the employer with instructions for attaching the lump sum?

N/A

L6. Does your state use the income-withholding order to attach the lump sum payment?

Yes

L7. Does your state use the lien/levy process to attach lump sum payments?

Yes

L7.1. If yes, what is the name of the document your state uses to attach non-wage lump sum payments?

Notice of Lien

L8. What other documents does your state use to attach lump sum payments?

Notice of Seizure of Assets

L9. If the lump sum payment is considered earnings as defined by the Consumer Credit Protection Act (CCPA), does your state have higher limits on withholding than the CCPA limit?

No.

L9.1. If yes, what are those limits?

Not applicable

L9.2. If the lump sum is not considered to be earnings as defined by the CCPA, does your state limit the withholding/attachment?

Yes. For Additional Information - No Link Provided

L9.3. If yes, what are those limits?

Pursuant to CCPA, Section 1673 of Title 15 of the United States Code; no more than 85% of first $145.00 of weekly disposable income. There must be overdue support greater than $500.

L9.4. If no, what percentage is the employer required to withhold?

Not applicable

L10. If an employer pays the lump sum in addition to regular wages in a single payment, would the CCPA limits apply?

No

L10.1 If yes, would the employer only withhold for that period's obligation?

L11. Does your state have a direct deposit program?

Yes

L11.1 If so, specify the vendor.

Systems and Methods Inc.

L12. Does your state have a debit card program?

Yes

L12.1 If so, specify the vendor.

Systems and Methods Inc.

L13. Is the debit card used for any other state government programs (TANF, SNAP, etc.)?

No

L13.1 If so, are there fees involved?

L14. What are the fees associated with using the card?

L15. How does your state collect child support payments from an obligor? **

Payments must be made to a central location Payment may be made by preauthorized withdrawal from a financial institution account Payments may be made by income withholding payments may be made by check or warrant Payments my be made by electronic funds transfer Payments may be made in cash at specified offices

L16. How does your state disburse child support payments to foreign reciprocating and treaty countries when your state is the responding state in a case? **

Payments may be made by check Payments may be made by electronic funds transfer

L17. What actions does your state take to reduce the costs and fees associated with international payment processing? **

All payments are processed through a designated authority All payments are processed upon receipt

L18. Does your state process electronic payments in international cases? **

No

L18.1 If so, describe the process. **

L19. What is your state's International Bank Account Number (IBAN)? **

M. Insurance Match

M1. Note: The Consumer Credit Protection Act (CCPA) limits may apply to any insurance payments issued as an income loss replacement.

For Additional Information - http://www.dol.gov/whd/regs/compliance/whdfs30.pdf

M1.1. Additional information on the CCPA.

For Additional Information - http://www.dol.gov/dol/allcfr/Title_29/Chapter_V.htm

M2. Does your state have legislation that requires insurance companies doing business in your state to provide, exchange, or look up information with or for your state IV-D agency to determine whether a claimant owes past-due child support?

No

M2.1. If yes, provide the statutory citation

Not applicable For Additional Information - No Link Provided

M2.1.2. What information is an insurer required to provide, exchange, or look up with your state's IV-D agency?

No. For Additional Information - No Link Provided

M2.2. How long before making a payment to a claimant must an insurer provide information to the agency?

M2.3. What criteria must an obligor meet to be eligible for your state's insurance match, exchange, look up, or intercept program? For example, is the law limited to specific claimants (such as policyholder, beneficiary or joint policyholder), types of claims (such as life, property/casualty, or workers' compensation), or specific policies (such as annuities, short term/long term disability)?

M2.4. Must the obligor meet a monetary threshold (dollar amount or percentage of payment) to be eligible for your state's insurance match program?

Yes. There must be a minimum of $500.00 owed in overdue support

M2.5. What does the law require an insurer to do to determine whether a claimant owes past-due child support (for example, log into a secure web application and enter identifying information about the claimant)?

No requirement.

M2.6. Does your state law provide an alternative method or measure that an insurer may use to determine whether the claimant owes past-due child support (for example, participation in the OCSE Insurance Match Program satisfies the requirement)?

M2.7. Does your state law establish a penalty for an insurer that fails to comply with the requirement for determining whether a claimant owes past-due child support? If so, provide the statutory citation.

No. For Additional Information - No Link Provided

M2.8. Does your state law protect an insurer from liability for acting in accordance with the insurance match law?

M3. If there is no law, are insurers required to respond to subpoenas or requests for information and liens/levies or IWOs?

Not applicable

M3.1. Provide the statutory citation.

17b-137(c)(2) For Additional Information - No Link Provided

M4. What forms does your state use to intercept insurance payments, settlements, or awards (such as IWO, Notice of Lien/Levy)?

M5. Who is required notify the NCP of the insurance intercept activity: the child support enforcement agency, the insurance agency, or both?

M5.1. Provide your statutory citation for notifying an NCP of insurance intercept.

52-362(d) For Additional Information - No Link Provided

M5.2. Once notified, is there an appeal period for the obligor and what is its length? Give the statutory citation.

Yes. 60 days. Connecticut General Statutes (CGS) 52-362 For Additional Information - No Link Provided

M6. Are there attorney fees associated with the insurance intercept activity?

M7. How does another state initiate and intercept collections from your state workers' compensation agency?

An immediate wage withholding must be issued on the carrier(Insurance Company), not the workers' compensation agency.

M7.1. What is the process, the points of contact, and what forms?

N. Case Closure

N1. Does your state send a CSENet case closure transaction to let the responding state know its intergovernmental services are no longer needed? (MSC P GSC15)

N2. Does your state send a CSENet case closure transaction to notify the initiating state that its case is closed based on one of the following reasons: (MSC P GSC16) (a)Initiating state failure to take an action essential for the next steps? (b)The initiating state requested the responding state to close the case?

N3. Does your state send a CSENet case closure transaction to notify the responding state that it must stop any income withholding orders or notices and close the intergovernmental case? MSC P GSC17)

N4. Does your state send a CSENet case closure transaction to notify the initiating state that per its request the case is closed and your state has stopped its income withholding order? (MSC P GSC18)