Child Support









2005 HIGHLIGHTS

  Gross collections for 2005, through June, were $4.2 million with an average collection per month of $700,000.00.

  Gross Collections:  $8 million; $400,000.00 less than 2003 and 2004 due to how support is determined and the requirement to consider placement, custody, child care, and other things under Statutes.  These "losses" were predicted and collections flattened due to these changes from a determination by a percentage of gross income which took into account pay raises from non-custodial parents.  Changes to the way support was determined in Wisconsin were mandated by the Federal Government.

   The Child Support Agency, working with the Sheriff's Department, has been conducting sweeps to arrest persons obligated to pay support and who have not complied with court orders.  Those arrested have been charged with contempt of court, failure to appear for child support related hearings, and felony non-support.

  Public Assistance Investigations (welfare fraud) exceeded 300 in 2005.  These included "front-end" reviews which means applicants for assistance through Douglas County had their applications and locations verified prior to any benefits being issued.  In addition, the PA investigator assisted the Sheriff's Department in locating and arresting close to 50 child support non-payers in about nine months of 2005.  These persons had warrants for their arrest due to non-payment of their obligations, after appearing in court.  They then refused to cooperate with the Child Support Agency by not seeking work, contacting the agency on a regular basis, or by not following the order to make payments.  Arrests are the last resort used by the CSA in its attempt to collect support for families.  If anyone knows of a person with an obligation to pay child support, is working and not paying, please call the agency and let us know.  The public has helped the agency staff locate non-payers for about 30 years and we appreciate it.

   Through June 2005, the Agency has spent over $7,000.00 in extradition costs to bring non-payers with felony charges from other states to stand trial.  We are pursuing repayment of those costs from the convicted non-payer.

   Wisconsin is the 28th most populace state in the nation, but ranks 10th in the nation in dollars collected.  In an unofficial study of all 50 states, Wisconsin ranks 4th in all the federal incentive criteria with no state reaching all of the targeted statistical categories. 

  The Child Support Agency appreciates the assistance provided by persons due child support payments in locating absent parents or their employers, so collections can be made.

   If the investigator you are trying to reach is unavailable, please ask to speak to the designated backup investigator.