Title IV-D Short Overview
Title IV-D of the Social Security Act starts at 42 USC 651. It’s appropriation section defines the purpose of the program. Quoting Sec. 451 of the Social Security Act [42 USC 651]:
For the purpose of enforcing the support obligations owed by noncustodial parents to their children and the spouse (or former spouse) with whom such children are living, locating noncustodial parents, establishing paternity, obtaining child and spousal support, and assuring that assistance in obtaining support will be available under this part to all children (whether or not eligible for assistance under a State program funded under part A) for whom such assistance is requested, there is hereby authorized to be appropriated for each fiscal year a sum sufficient to carry out the purposes of this part.
In general understanding there are two key financial components to the program, the first being block grants, the second being performance incentives. This is a voluntary program for states to participate in.
