During the post-Depression era, the United States enacted federal legislation establishing the forerunner of today’s welfare system. The program was originally initiated to provide all dependent children more stability through financial aid via Title IV-A of the Social Security Act of 1935. This act established the Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) program.
Growing criticism of welfare programs as creating dependency and an undue burden on taxpayers.
The belief that the AFDC program was supporting one-parent households without incentivizing self-sufficiency.
In 1975, in response to public pressure, Congress amended the Social Security Act to add Title IV-D. This amendment mandated that all States establish a program to locate noncustodial parents, establish paternity, establish and enforce child support obligations, and collect, distribute, and disburse support payments.
The child support program is often referred to as “IV-D.” Federal regulations, codified in Part 300 of 45 Code of Federal Regulation (CFR), further delineated the specific responsibilities of the Federal, State and local governments.
The State Child Support Reform Act of 1999 in California created a new California Department of Child Support Services (DCSS) and moved local administration of child support programs from the District Attorney’s Office to newly created Local Child Support Agencies (LCSAs).