Code of Maine Rules
10 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
144 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES - GENERAL
Chapter 351 - Maine Child Support Enforcement Manual
Chapter 18 - UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION
Section 144-351-18-2 - PROCEDURE

A. The Division shall provide the Department of Labor with a data file no less often than bi-weekly that identifies each responsible parent who owes a child support obligation payable to the Division. The Division's file shall include the amount of the responsible parent's current parental support obligation and the amount of the responsible parent's debt for past-due support.

B. If a responsible parent reported by the Division pursuant to paragraph A receives unemployment compensation benefits from the Department of Labor, the Department of Labor shall withhold benefits that exceed the state income exemption amount as calculated under 19-A M.R.S. §2356, up to the amount of the responsible parent's child support obligation, which includes the current parental support obligation and any debt for past-due support. The Department of Labor shall send benefits withheld to the Department within 10 days of the withholding for credit against the responsible parent's child support obligation.

C. Paragraph A notwithstanding, the Division may seek to withhold unemployment compensation benefits by legal process if a responsible parent owes a child support obligation being enforced under the State's Title IV-D state plan. The Division may initiate withholding by issuing the payor an Income Withholding Order or other valid legal order, writ, process, or instrument for withholding as and when authorized by law.