In 2005, the federal government gave states the option, in cases where the family previously received Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (CalWORKs in California) to distribute current child support and arrears payments owed to the family to the family first before retaining payments to pay arrears assigned to the state. In AB 135, chapter 85 (2021) California permanently exercised this option. California had temporarily exercised this option by Executive Order dated May 1, 2020.
Now, for former assistance cases, all current support and arrears owed to the family will be paid to the family before assigned arrears are retained by the state. This election also applies to collections made via federal tax intercept. (CSSP Letter 21-05, November 29, 2021.)