How does the new definition of assistance affect child support assignment and the distribution of collections?
Under the statute and rules, families must assign any rights they have to support as a condition of receiving assistance under the TANF program. The new definition of assistance under §260.31 does not affect the scope of the assignment of child support. However, it has the effect of limiting the amount of assigned support collections the State may retain to reimburse assistance provided to the TANF family. Only those benefits that a family receives that are within the definition of assistance under §260.31 may be reimbursed with assigned support collectionsUnder §260.31(a), assistance includes cash, payments, vouchers, and other forms of benefits designed to meet a family’s ongoing needs. It also includes supportive services such as transportation and child care provided to families who are not employed. Paragraph (b) of §260.31 excludes certain benefits from the definition of assistance, for example, certain nonrecurrent, short-term benefits and supportive services such as child care
