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Office of Child Support 

Enforcement (OCSE) 

Information Memorandum 

U.S. Department of 

Health and Human Services

Administration for Children 

and Families

Washington, DC 20447 

Memorandum No. IM-01-09 Date: November 13, 2001 

_________________________________________________________________________________________ 

TO: STATE AGENCIES ADMINISTERING CHILD SUPPORT ENFORCEMENT 

PLANS UNDER TITLE IV-D OF THE SOCIAL SECURITY ACT, DEFENSE 

FINANCE AND ACCOUNTING SERVICE (CLEVELAND CENTER), OFFICES 

OF THE INDIVIDUAL MILITARY SERVICES OF THE JUDGE ADVOCATE 

GENERAL, MILITARY FAMILY SUPPORT CENTERS, AND OTHER 

INTERESTED INDIVIDUALS 

SUBJECT: Mobilization of Reservists for Military Operation Enduring Freedom -- Review and 

Adjustment 

ATTACHMENT: Virginia DCSE Form; Request for Review and Adjustment 

REFERENCES: 45 CFR 308.8, OCSE Information Memorandum (IM) 96-02 

BACKGROUND: In the wake of September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, Congress authorized the 

President to activate up to 50,000 U.S. reserve troops for duty in the fight against 

terrorism. 

When called for active duty, men and women will be taken from their civilian 

careers and assigned for duty in the support of operation “Enduring Freedom,” both 

at home and abroad. For some, being called to active duty can mean a reduction of 

total monthly income. Those reservists who are currently paying child support 

payments based on higher monthly income may find that child support arrears will 

begin to accumulate when monthly child support payments are not met. 

Additionally, custodial parents who are activated may also be affected in their 

ability to meet their children's needs. Reservists experiencing a reduction in 

monthly income, may wish to contact their child support office to request a review

and modificatio of their child support orders. Information needed to accomplish an

adjustment can vary from State to State, however providing information 

 
needed to process a request should include the reason for the request (provide a 

copy of your orders), provide current military pay information (such as pay grade 

and time in service or a copy of latest leave and earning statement), and child 

support order information. 

Attached to this information memorandum is an example of a Request for Review 

and Adjustment Form provided by the Commonwealth of Virginia. A copy of this 

form can be downloaded from the Commonwealth of Virginia website at: 

www.dss.state.va.us/family/dcse_form.html. A review could result in an upward, 

downward, or no modification. If a child support obligation is adjusted, the order 

will be effective from the date that the non-requesting party receives notice of 

proposed review. The sooner a request for a modification is initiated with your 

State, the sooner an adjustment can be made, if warranted. 

We encourage all State IV-D Agencies, courts, and legal associations to give these 

requests for an adjustment of a child support order the highest priority and 

flexibility allowable under State law. We ask that military family community 

support centers and legal assistance offices provide support when needed. We 

further urge the appropriate Department of Defense offices to make this 

information available to activated reservists that adjustments are possible for noncustodial and custodial parents and the use of this memorandum is encouraged to 

disseminate to activated reservists and their dependents. 

WAGE WITHHOLDING: 

Income withholding orders for reservists activated by the Department of Defense

(including the Army National Guard, and Air National Guard) in support of

Operation Enduring Freedom, should be sent to the Defense Finance and

Accounting Service (DFAS) in Cleveland, Ohio at the following address:

DFAS – Cleveland Center

Garnishment Division

PO Box 998002

Cleveland, Ohio 44199-8002

MEDICAL COVERAGE: 

Activated military members and dependents are entitled to medical care through 

TriCare (previously through CHAMPUS). See IM 96-02 for additional information 

on obtaining medical coverage for children whose parent is a military member. 
CONTACTS: For more information, contact your ACF Regional Office or your local Child 

Support Office. 

Wade F. Horn, Ph.D 

Assistant Secretary 

for Children and Families