back child support

[kkj]

my daughter is 14 years old, and we just started to recieve child support approx. 1 1/2 months ago. (the state of iowa went after him) they included 2 months back support he must pay. i want to know why we can't go after more then that. and if we can, how do i go about getting that process started?

 

[VeronicaGia]

In most cases, child support will only go back to the date the order was filed. If you never filed for child support 14 years ago, usually you can't go back for it - did you file 14 years ago? Have arrears been building up for 14 years? If not, it's pretty much too late.

 

[kkj]

my daughter has been on and off public assistance since she was 2 months old. the state has been trying to find her dad ever since then. when ever i found a new address for him, i always turned it into child support recovery unit. so the way i see it is, that both the state and myself have been trying to get ahold of him. we just got lucky a few months ago. so what should i do from here?

 

[VeronicaGia]

Check here:

www.ocse3.acf.dhhs.gov/ext/irg/sps/selectastate.cfm

click on your state.

Has the case been in the same state all this time? If so, and they awarded you 2 months back support, that is probably all they're going to do.

Have you had court ordered support for 14 years? If so, and you still have all the information, arrears have built up all this time. If not, then not. Were you ever married?

 

[grandpabri]

If your daughter has been "on and off" public assistance since she was 2 months old, you will be lucky if you get anything.

You were required to sign your child support rights to the state as a condition of receiving cash aid. Any money that the state collects for this period will be used to pay back the state for the welfare money you got.

 

[kkj]

i got cash, food stamps, and medical for my daughter for the first 4 years of her life, while i went to college. after that, we just recieved medical, (and food stamps when things got tight) no we were never married, and no there was no court ordered support. all i have that helped us get support this time was a letter he wrote us when she was 6 saying he owed us the support.