Glossary: S-Z
Safety Net Assistance (SNA) - SNA is a state and locally funded program that provides cash assistance to eligible individuals, couples and families that are not eligible for other temporary or public assistance. Generally, SNA can be provided for a maximum of two years in a lifetime. After that, if eligibility continues, SNA will be provided in non-cash form, such as two-party check or a voucher. In addition, non-cash SNA is provided for families of persons who are unable to work due to the abuse of drugs or alcohol or for refusing drug/alcohol screening, assessment or treatment.
Self-Support Reserve - When annual incomes fall below the yearly Self-Support Reserve amount as specified by the federal government, the court typically issues a Self-Support Reserve order of $50/month.
Summons - The notice used to inform all parties of a court proceeding.
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) - A cash assistance program administered by the Social Security Administration which provides a nationwide minimum income to needy aged, blind and disabled persons. In New York State, SSI recipients are eligible for Medicaid.
Support Collection - The function of collecting, tracking and disbursing child support payments.
Support Collection Unit (SCU) - The part of the child support enforcement program responsible for administering, collecting, monitoring, and disbursing child support payments.
Support Enforcement - The process in which child support orders are enforced through both administrative and court related means.
Support Establishment - The process by which a non-custodial parent's financial obligation to his or her child, including medical coverage, is determined and court ordered.
Support Obligation - The amount a non-custodial parent is ordered to pay for child support.
Support Order - A court order establishing a child support obligation.
Support Petition - A formal written application to a court requesting judicial action on a matter of child support.
Temporary Assistance (TA) - TA is the "cash" assistance component of welfare. In New York State, temporary assistance includes Family Assistance, Safety Net Assistance, Emergency Assistance for Families, Emergency Safety Net Assistance and Emergency Assistance for Adults. TA is often referred to as "public assistance".
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) - Commonly used in reference to the federal assistance program of which a state operates. It was established under the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act which states receive in order to operate a federally funded program to assist families with children. TANF funds are used for supportive services and federal benefits.
Tentative Basic Child Support Obligation - The amount of the child support obligation based on the standard percentage guidelines before child related expenses are considered.
Unemployment Insurance Benefits (UIB) Intercept - NYS Dept. of Labor deducts child support from unemployment insurance payments and sends them to the Support Collection Unit.
Uniform Interstate Family Support Act (UIFSA) - Law enacted at the state level which requires states to establish and enforce support obligations in an equal manner when the non-custodial parent lives in one state and the custodial parent and children live in another.
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