Child support deductions from income support payments 277-51020030

If a payer is not making child support payments as required, Child Support may instruct Centrelink to deduct up to three times the minimum child support liability amount from the payer's income support payments.

This is done automatically through the system interface between Child Support and Centrelink.

Check payment details and advise the customer

Check details on the Payment Details (PD) screen. CSSLIA indicates that the amount is for child support.

Advise the customer of the amount to be deducted from their payments for child support.

For example:

• They want more information about how the amount was calculated, e.g. they would like to know how the amount was calculated, if it is for child support arrears or current child support liability, which children this payment is for, what the arrears are for, how long it will it take to pay off
• They wish to change the amount to be deducted as they are in hardship
• They wish to appeal the amount or the payment from which child support is being deducted

Is the customer querying the child support assessment or the amount deducted?

• Yes, record details on a DOC. Customers are to contact Child Support directly, either online or by phone, to apply for a child support assessment. Refer the customer to Child Support. For contact details, see Child Support. Procedure ends here
• No, go to Step 3

Does the customer have a Shared Care Child in their care?

• Yes, go to Step 4
• No, go to Step 5

Income support customers will not have a child support liability for a Shared Care Child as the costs are being met through the care they provide.

It is still possible for the customer to have child support deductions for arrears of child support for this child and/or current liability/arrears for other children.

Where there is a change of care, the rate deducted for child support may not change, as the customer may still need to pay arrears of child support.

Record details on a DOC