Parental Financial Contribution
Utah law UCA (78-3a-906) requires all parents whose children are placed in a JJS 24-hour care facility to pay child support while their child remains in state care. The support collected is used by JJS to help pay for the child’s care.
Facts about Parental Financial Contribution
- Child support is based on the family’s income and the number of dependent children living in their household. Therefore, parents are assessed according to their income and are not required to pay the actual cost of care. For an estimated child support obligation, refer to the child support calculator on the ORS website at http://www.ors.state.ut.us/.
- Once the child is placed in care, the parents are required to contact ORS regarding their child support obligation. Parents may contact ORS at 1-888-734-3955. Parents who have been previously ordered to pay child support will be required to pay their support obligation to ORS, once their child is placed in care.
- Once a child is placed in care, ORS will work with the parents in assessing a child support obligation. ORS may request information concerning the parents’ income, household size, and other pertinent information, in order to establish a support obligation. If the family disagrees with the support amount, they will have an opportunity to request a review of the assessed amount.
- Once a support obligation has been established, JJS may request a deferral or waiver of payments, if collections interfere with family re-unification. The waiver may be requested to postpone or waive collections of current or past due child support. A JJS worker must complete a waiver request (form 602) and submit it for approval to the JJS Supervisor, JJS Program Director, and the JJS Director or Designee for approval. The waiver request form can be found on the ORS website at http://www.ors.state.ut.us/support_for_children.htm.
Frequently Asked Questions about ORS
Why do I have to pay when JJS has custody?
Utah law UCA (78-3a-906) requires all parents whose children are placed in a JJS facility to pay child support while their child remains in state care.
What is ORS?
ORS is the Office of Recovery Services. The Children in Care (CIC) Bureau within ORS is responsible for collecting child support for JJS, DCFS, and other state programs.
Where can I find out more about the Office of Recovery Services or Social Security?
The Office of Recovery Services office that is involved with Juvenile Justice Services is located at:
515 East 100 South
Salt Lake City, UT 84145
The state toll-free number is 1-888-734-3955
For more information, access the ORS website at http://www.ors.state.ut.us/support_for_children.htm
The Social Security office in your area is listed under United States Government or Federal Government, in your local directory.