Aug 2014
, , , Taking the First Step: Using Behavioral Economics to Help Incarcerated Parents Apply for Child Support Order Modifications
This report presents findings from a behavioural intervention designed
to increase the number of incarcerated noncustodial parents in Texas who
apply for modifications to reduce the amount of their child support orders.
Incarcerated noncustodial parents have a limited ability to pay their child
support orders each month, due to their incarceration, which can lead to
the accumulation of significant child support debt. The Texas Office of the
Attorney General’s (OAG’s) Child Support Division operates a program that
contacts incarcerated noncustodial parents via mail, informs them of the
option to apply for order modifications, and provides instructions on how
to begin the process.