Plastic vs. Paper: Child-support funds now by debit card

Parents receiving child-support checks will get plastic, rather than paper, next month. As part of a statewide change called ncKIDScards, parents who receive their child support via check will be issued debit cards.

The state Department of Health and Human Services began rolling out the program in April.

Susan Scales, the local child support director, said parents were notified earlier this year about the change. She said the new debit cards would benefit parents.

"This gets the payments to the custodial parent quicker. It's easier, it's safer," Scales said.

The new program will begin Monday. Parents enrolled in the program will receive a package with their debit card explaining the program and how to use the card.

The cards are not credit cards, Scales said. The money spent is the money contributed to the parent's child support account with the state.

Not everyone will get the debit cards, however. Many parents opt to have payments deposited into their bank accounts rather than have a check processed through the state. The accounts for those parents will not be affected by the change.

The debit cards will be backed Visa and can be used wherever Visa cards are accepted. Parents can also withdraw cash from their account using the cards.

More than 3,000 parents are enrolled in the child-support program in Rockingham County.