Section 34-8-198. Payment of child support obligation from benefits

   (a) Each claimant shall disclose to the department whether or not such claimant owes child support obligations which are being enforced pursuant to a plan described in Section 454 of the federal Social Security Act.

(b) The department shall notify the state or local child support enforcement agency that such individual owes child support obligations and is eligible for unemployment compensation.

(c) The department shall cause to be deducted and withheld from any unemployment compensation otherwise payable to such claimant:

   (1) The amount specified by the claimant to be deducted and withheld if neither paragraph (2) nor (3) of this subsection is applicable;

   (2) The amount determined pursuant to an agreement submitted to the department by the state or local child support enforcement agency under Section 454 of the federal Social Security Act, 42 U.S.C. Section 654; or

   (3) Any amount otherwise required to be so deducted and withheld from such unemployment compensation which has been determined through legal process as that term is defined in Section 459 of the federal Social Security Act, 42 U.S.C. Section 659.

(d) Any amount so deducted and withheld pursuant to paragraph (1), (2), or (3) of subsection (c) of this Code section shall be paid to the appropriate state or local child support enforcement agency.

(e) Any amount deducted and withheld pursuant to this Code section shall for all purposes be treated as if it were paid to the claimant as unemployment compensation and then paid by such claimant to the state or local child support enforcement agency in satisfaction of the claimant's child support obligations.

(f) Each state or local child support enforcement agency shall reimburse the department for the administrative costs incurred by the department which are attributable to such child support obligations being enforced by the state or local child support enforcement agency.

Code 1981, § 34-8-198, enacted by Ga. L. 1991, p. 139, § 1; Ga. L. 1998, p. 1501, § 7.