States and Child Support Payments to Poor Families

W.Va., other states divert child support payments to help poor families get back on their feet, By P.J. Dickerscheid (AP), October 5, 2009, Los Angeles Times: “Changes in how state governments are allowed to disperse child support payments to welfare families has put more money in the pocket of West Virginia resident Becky Salmons, allowing her to buy school supplies and medicine for her 17-year-old daughter. West Virginia, Pennsylvania and Washington are among the states taking advantage of changes in federal law that encourage states to stop using the money to reimburse state and federal welfare services and instead use it to help poor families get back on their feet. For some families, the change means hundreds of extra dollars a month. Until a year ago, most of the $225 Salmons’ ex-husband paid each month went to the government. Now, she gets all the money…”