Mississippi Code 1972 (2023) › Title 71 - LABOR AND INDUSTRY (§§ 71-1-1 — 71-17-7) › Chapter 5 - UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION (§§ 71-5-1 — 71-5-547) › Article 11 - BENEFITS (§§ 71-5-501 — 71-5-547) › Section 71-5-516 - Disclosure of child support obligations on claim for benefits; deduction and withholding from benefit

(1)
An individual filing a new claim for benefits shall, at the time of filing such claim, disclose whether or not the individual owes child support obligations as defined under subsection (7). If any such individual discloses that he owes child support obligations, and is determined to be eligible for benefits, the commission shall notify the child support enforcement agency that the individual has been determined to be eligible for benefits.
(2)
The commission shall deduct and withhold from any benefits payable to an individual that owes child support obligations as defined under subsection (7):
(a)
The amount specified by the individual to the commission to be deducted and withheld under this subsection, if neither (b) nor (c) is applicable; or
(b)
The amount (if any) determined pursuant to an agreement submitted to the commission under Section 454(19)(A)and(B)(i) of the Social Security Act by the child support enforcement agency, unless (c) is applicable; or
(c)
Any amount otherwise required to be so deducted and withheld from such benefits pursuant to legal process (as that term is defined in Section 462(e) of the Social Security Act) properly served upon the commission. Transmittal of the information in subsection (b) or (c) by automated means shall constitute proper service of legal process upon the commission.
(3)
Any amount deducted and withheld under subsection (2) shall be paid by the commission to the child support enforcement agency.
(4)
Any amount deducted and withheld under subsection (2) shall for all purposes be treated as if it were paid to the individual as benefits and paid by such individual to the child support enforcement agency in satisfaction of the individual's child support obligations.
(5)
For purposes of subsections (1) through (4), the term "benefits" means any compensation payable under this chapter (including amounts payable by the commission pursuant to an agreement under any federal law providing for compensation, assistance or allowances with respect to unemployment).
(6)
This section applies only if appropriate arrangements have been made for reimbursement by the child support enforcement agency for the administrative costs incurred by the commission under this section which are attributable to child support obligations being enforced by the child support enforcement agency. No administrative costs of either the commission or the child support enforcement agency shall be deducted or withheld by the commission from any benefits payable, however. The amount to be deducted and withheld shall be in an even dollar amount, and the agency shall distribute the support collection in the manner prescribed by Title IV-D of the Social Security Act.
(7)
The term "child support obligations" is defined for purposes of this section as including only obligations which are being enforced pursuant to a plan described in Section 454 of the Social Security Act which has been approved by the Secretary of Health and Human Services under Part D of Title IV of the Social Security Act.
Laws, 1982, ch. 480, § 4; Laws, 1986, ch. 332; Laws, 1991, ch. 406, § 1; Laws, 1993, ch. 346, § 1, eff. 7/1/1993.