When the assigned child support is collected, it is used to reimburse the state and federal governments for welfare benefits paid to the family. Individuals who do not receive public assistance may apply for division services. In non-TANF cases, current child support collections are forwarded to the custodial party. Other states refer cases to Montana for action when the non-custodial parent resides in Montana. CSED also collects parental contributions to the state for foster care placements.
Services provided by the division ultimately benefit children and taxpayers.
Requiring obligated parents to provide medical support coverage for their children saves Medicaid dollars and ensures that children have access to medical care. This does not include the cost of operating the automated system. This fund contains the state's share of TANF collections, and federal incentives based on program performance in five areas. Central program administration, the OALJ and the Interstate Regional Office are located in Helena. Four additional regional offices are located in Butte, Billings, Great Falls and Missoula.