# Presentation: 766413

## The Non-Custodial Parent as Customer: Patterns of Receipt, Contact, and NonCash Assistance 

- Presented by:
- Sarah Douglas (ASPE)
- September 11th, 2006
- 16th National CSE Training Conference

- DHHS /OS/ ASPE

## How involved are non-custodial parents in IV-D families?
Is the level of involvement by the non-custodial parent related to child support receipt?

- How involved are non-custodial parents in IV-D families?
- Is the level of involvement by the non-custodial parent related to child support receipt?

- DHHS /OS/ ASPE

## Data Strengths and Limitations 

- Survey data collected by Census.
- Emphasis on demographic and income data.
- Limited to families where one biological parent in the home.
- Indirect allocation of IVD status.
- No state level data.
- Co-sponsored by Census and OCSE

- DHHS /OS/ ASPE

## Characteristics of IV-D Families

- Caseload primarily low-income.
- Medicaid is now the major “welfare” component.
- ~50% white and ~25% black.
- 3⁄4 live in the same state.
- Most custodial parents never married or are divorced.
- Just under half (47%) have an agreement and are receiving child support.
- Around 1⁄4 have an agreement but did not receive CS.
- Many, but not all, families without an agreement do not receive CS.

- DHHS /OS/ ASPE

## Receipt of Child Support

- 49% of IV-D Families Received Child Support.
- Of those Receiving Child Support, $3,736 was the Average Amount.
- Median Amount was $2,640.

## IV-D Families with a Child Under 18 Reporting on the Amount of Contact with the NCP

- CP asked whether or not the child spent at least one day with the NCP during the year.
- 64% indicated at least one day of contact.
- 27% reported 1-29 days w/ child  **“Low”.**
- 20% reported 30-99 days w/ child **“Moderate”.**
- 17% reported 100 or more days w/ child **“High”.**
- Average number of days spent with child is 71.

- DHHS /OS/ ASPE

## Percent of NCPs in Contact with Childby Background Characteristics

- DHHS /OS/ ASPE

## Percent of NCPs in Contact with Child, by Race

- DHHS /OS/ ASPE

## Percent of NCPs in Contact with Child by Child Support Variables

- DHHS /OS/ ASPE

## Families in contact were more likely to receive child support than those not in contact.
Child support receipt was highest for those in moderate contact. (60%)
Low contact and high contact had similar rates; only slightly lower than moderate. (57% and 56%, respectively)
No contact = dramatic drop.
Only 35% received any child support.

- Families in contact were more likely to receive child support than those not in contact.
- Child support receipt was highest for those in moderate contact. (60%)
- Low contact and high contact had similar rates; only slightly lower than moderate. (57% and 56%, respectively)
- No contact = dramatic drop.
- Only 35% received any child support.

- DHHS /OS/ ASPE

## Percent of NCPs Providing Non-Cash Assistance

| Provide birthday, holiday, or other gifts | 51.2% |
| --- | --- |
| Provide clothes, diapers or shoes | 35.2% |
| Provide food or groceries | 23.0% |
| Pay for child care or summer camp | 7.9% |
| Pay for medical expenses; excl. insurance | 15.1% |
| Non-Cash Assistance | 54.1% |

**17%** received _*one*_ type; **13%** received _*two*_ types; and **25%** received _*three or more*_ types of non-cash assistance.

- DHHS /OS/ ASPE

## Percent of NCPs Providing Non-Cash Assistance by Background Characteristics and Types of Assistance

- DHHS /OS/ ASPE

## Percent of NCPs Providing Non-Cash Support, by Race

- DHHS /OS/ ASPE

## Percent of NCPs Providing Non-Cash Assistance by Child Support Variables and Differing Types of Assistance 

- DHHS /OS/ ASPE

## Families receiving non-cash support were more likely to receive child support.
NCPs providing 1 or 2 types of non-cash assistance were most likely to provide CS. (61%, 63%)
Families receiving 3 or more types had much lower rates. (54%)
The absence of non-cash support matters.
Only 39% received any child support. 

- Families receiving** **non-cash support were more likely to receive child support.
- NCPs providing 1 or 2 types of non-cash assistance were most likely to provide CS. (61%, 63%)
- Families receiving 3 or more types had much lower rates. (54%)
- The absence of non-cash support matters.
- Only 39% received any child support.

- DHHS /OS/ ASPE

## 17% of NCPs were highly involved with 64% in contact for at least one day.
54% of NCPs provided non-cash assistance.
1/3 of those with visitation provided 3 or more types of non-child support assistance.
Child support receipt, contact and non-cash assistance appear related.
Although the direction and precise nature of the relationship is not yet known.

- 17% of NCPs were highly involved with 64% in contact for at least one day.
- 54% of NCPs provided non-cash assistance.
- 1/3 of those with visitation provided 3 or more types of non-child support assistance.
- Child support receipt, contact and non-cash assistance appear related.
- Although the direction and precise nature of the relationship is not yet known.

- DHHS /OS/ ASPE

## Next Steps

- Expand research analysis to look at the independent effect involvement variables may have on child support receipt.
- Look at how family income levels may differ based on involvement characteristics.
- Create a measure of involvement that incorporates contact and noncash assistance, possibly receipt.

- DHHS /OS/ ASPE

## 
Sarah Douglas
E-mail: sarah.douglas@hhs.gov
Phone: 202-401-3953

- Sarah Douglas
- E-mail: _[sarah.douglas@hhs.gov](mailto:sarah.douglas@hhs.gov)_
- Phone: 202-401-3953

- DHHS /OS/ ASPE