DE SB213

Division of Child Support Enforcement may establish a process to transfer support payments electronically to an account designated by the obligee or to an electronic access card (stored value card).

Once the Department of Health and Social Services certifies the electronic transfer process is complete, all support payments must be disbursed electronically unless the obligee receives a hardship exemption.

Obligees must receive 20 days' notice before electronic transfer takes effect and may choose direct deposit to their own account or receive an electronic access card; hardship exemptions require written requests with supporting documentation.

Division may disburse payments by check in limited circumstances: when federal requirements require it, when payments go to a trustee or representative payee, when obligee documents physical or mental disability hardship, or when payments occur too infrequently to make electronic transfer practical.

"Electronic access card" is defined as a stored value card issued by the Division where support payments are deposited electronically like direct deposit.