Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability
Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability

Establishment of the State Disbursement Unit Raises Cost to Process Child Support Payments

Report 00-11, September 2000




Report Summary

  • Florida's State Disbursement Unit appears to be in general compliance with federal requirements. The configuration and organizational location of the unit, while unique in the nation, appears effective in its use of privatization and existing technology.
  • Total expenditures for processing Title IV-D child support payments have increased by $11.5 million with the establishment of the unit due primarily to additional federal requirements and an increased caseload.
  • Responsibility for a major portion of the funding to process Title IV-D child support payments shifted to the state with the creation of the State Disbursement Unit. This has increased state costs by $3.3 million annually. Although Clerks of the Circuit Court shed responsibility, their expenditures have not yet decreased due to additional costs associated with transitioning to the new system.
  • Reported performance data indicate that the State Disbursement Unit is processing child support payments in a timely manner.


Related Reports
  1. Administrative Establishment of Child Support Is Efficient for Uncontested Cases; Compliance Is Better for Orders Established Judicially
    Report 03-36 June 2003
  2. Progress Report: Child Support Program Has Adopted or Addressed Most Recommendations
    Report 03-13 February 2003
  3. Child Support Enforcement Program, Florida Department of Revenue
    Report 00-24 December 2000
  4. Establishment of the State Disbursement Unit Raises Cost to Process Child Support Payments
    Report 00-11 September 2000
Copies of this report in print or alternate accessible format may be obtained by email OPPAGA@oppaga.fl.gov, telephone (850) 488-0021, or mail 111 W. Madison St., Room 312 Tallahassee, FL 32399-1475.
Copies of this report in print or alternate accessible format may be obtained by email OPPAGA@oppaga.fl.gov, telephone (850) 488-0021, or mail 111 W. Madison St., Room 312 Tallahassee, FL 32399-1475.
judicial, child support, child support enforcement, child support payments, child support collections, SDU, state disbursement unit, Lockheed Martin, court clerks, welfare reform, single parent, social services, federal funding, IV-D program, children