Information for Support Recipients

Our goal is to provide support to families by enforcing regular support payments outlined in a support order or agreement once a file has been opened with MEP. More information is available on the How to Register webpage.

Things to know for support recipients:

If you are not receiving support

MEP will attempt to work with the support payor to meet their support and payment obligations. Various factors affect how your file is managed, including the current enforcement action, support payable and the arrears balance. The support payor’s ability to pay may also be a consideration.

Support recipients are often the best of source of information for the payment and collection of support payments when voluntary payments are not made. Please contact MEP with any additional information about the support payor (for example: their address, place of employment, bank).

Payment arrangements

Entering into a payment arrangement is intended to secure regular ongoing support payments while paying the arrears as quickly as possible without risking a support payor’s ability to maintain employment or meet their basic needs.

The payment arrangement process includes obtaining financial and expense disclosure from the support payor to determine if they qualify for a payment arrangement.

Administrative suspension of enforcement (ASOE)

A temporary suspension or reduction of enforcement is available if the support payor is experiencing a change in circumstances such as a reduction in income. More information is available on the Administrative Suspension of Enforcement webpage.

When a child is 18 years or older

A support recipient is required to contact MEP if an adult child (18 and over) is no longer eligible for support. An adult child is generally eligible for support if:

  • They are attending secondary or post-secondary school
  • If they have a medical condition that impacts their ability to live independently.

MEP conducts regular reviews to determine if an adult child is still eligible for enforcement. More information is available on the Child Support Enforcement Eligibility webpage.

MEP Agreement

Parties can change their support payments set out in a court order by providing MEP with an Agreement to Change Support Obligations. More information is available on the Agreement to Change Support Obligations webpage.

Late Payment Penalties (LPP)

LPPs are modeled on simple interest and are assessed on the outstanding support arrears at a rate of 18% per year.

Support recipients have the option to opt-out or waive LPPs. Opting out of LPPs stops the charging of LPPs on the support arrears. More information is available on the Late Payment Penalties webpage.

Opting out/ partial opt out of MEP

A support recipient may partially or fully opt out of enforcement. If a support recipient choose to partially opt out, MEP will still enforce the arrears or ongoing support based on the recipient’s request. If a support recipient chooses to fully opt out, MEP will close the recipient’s portion of the file. This can be done by providing:

Once the file balance is adjusted and enforcement action is updated, notice will be sent to both parties.

Opting back into MEP

  • A support recipient can opt back in to MEP if they have a valid and enforceable order or agreement.
  • Support payments that have not been paid may be enforced by MEP if claimed by a support recipient
  • To reinstate support that ended due to a Child Support Enforcement Eligibility Review please see the Child Support Enforcement Eligibility webpage, and the How to reinstate enforcement of child support for an adult child section.