Washington, DC - Linda Singer, Acting Attorney General for the District of Columbia, announced today that the Office of the Attorney General Child Support Services Division (CSSD) is replacing paper checks with electronic payments.

Now parents have the option of signing up for direct deposit into their bank accounts or of having support payments transferred directly onto a Visa® debit (ATM) card. The card works just like a regular bank debit card, and there’s no need for a checking account. The debit card can be used for purchases anywhere that accepts Visa® and cash can be obtained at any ATM.

“This is a great way for customers to receive their payments more quickly and easily,” said General Singer. “More importantly, it allows custodial parents immediate access to child support payments – which means kids don’t have to wait to get the things they need, and parents can avoid costly check cashing fees.”

The pilot program for direct deposit and the Visa® debit card was launched in September of 2006 with nearly 350 customers in NE and SW DC. The program has been such a success, that it is now being rolled out to child support customers citywide. There are approximately 8,000 customers who are eligible to participate in the program.