Federal and state regulations govern how payments are applied. The child support agency applies payments according to these rules. Most payments collected pay current support first.
If an obligor owes support to more than one family, the child support agency divides payments among the families. After current support is paid for the month it is due, other payments received that month pay past-due support.
Funds collected from federal tax refunds pay past-due support or debts. These funds may be applied to past due amounts or debts owed to the state. If the state keeps any funds, the child support agency will send you a Notice of Collection of Child Support.