Beginning in July, all child support collected on behalf of Illinois’ low-income families with children who are current or former Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) recipients in Illinois will be passed through to the family for the care and support of the child or children and will no longer be retained by the state, the Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) announced.
All families who are currently receiving or formerly received TANF will benefit from this change. As of July 1, any amount of child support that was collected and retained by HFS’ Division of Child Support Services between January 1, 2023 and July 1, 2024, will be passed through to the family. With this change, Illinois will become the first state in the nation to unconditionally ensure all families receive 100% of the child support that is paid. While other states pass through all child support paid, it is subject to appropriation.
Child support payments collected and issued to the parent receiving support will not impact a parent’s eligibility for TANF benefits. This change also does not impact child support account balances; only the method of distribution of funds is changing. After families stop receiving TANF, they will continue to receive all current and past-due child support in full.
