Acosta Payment
When the payment of the current monthly support obligation from the noncustodial parent(s) exceeds the monthly TAFDC benefit (the combined total of the TAFDC grant, recoupment amount, and protective payments) plus the DEFRA payment received, the difference must be sent to the client. The Department of Revenue refers to this amount as an excess of grant amount. DTA refers to this amount as an Acosta payment.
Acosta payments are displayed on the Benefit History tab after being entered in the Related Benefit page. Although an Acosta payment indicates that the total child support collected that month exceeds the TAFDC grant amount plus the DEFRA, the TAFDC case must remain active for at least one more month to confirm the continuation of support payments. If the client receives an Acosta amount for two consecutive months, this is an indication that the total child support paid is greater than the TAFDC grant amount plus the DEFRA. When this happens the TAFDC benefit must be recalculated using the current total amount of child support paid to include payments to the agency.
A TAO manager must review the DOR/CSE Acosta File Report from RAPID on a monthly basis for clients in the TAO. When there is a client with Acosta payments for two consecutive months, the reports will be given to you and your supervisor. For each client with two consecutive payments you must enter the current total child support income in the Other Income Status page. See Entering Child Support Income - Client for procedures for entering this type of income and perform an Interview Wrapup so BEACON can re-calculate financial eligibility.
Acosta payments are considered lump sum income for SNAP. See SNAP Asset Guidelines.
Related Topics
Child Support Policy and Procedures