New Mexico makes mailing error impacting 14,000 child support cases

The New Mexico Human Services Department made a mailing error that went out to about 14,000 child support recipients and claims it is taking prompt action to correct the mistake.

HSD sent monthly statements to the wrong addresses for about 14,000 child support recipients, but HSD said it will correct the error soon.

“We’re swiftly addressing the mailing error and ensuring all affected child support customers receive the correct statements promptly,” Betina Gonzales McCracken, Director for Child Support Services Division with the New Mexico Human Services Department, said in a statement. “Mistakes happen, and we take full responsibility. We appreciate the understanding of our child support customers during this process.”

HSD is asking child support recipients who receive mail from HSD's Child Support Services Division intended for someone else not to open the mail and return it to sender. Additionally, HSD urges anyone with questions on the matter to call the child support line at 1-800-283-4465.

“We are grateful to the child support customers who contacted the department to report the error,” Gonzales McCracken said.

The error comes as state lawmakers approved a bill last year to reform child support. It cut the amount of child support lower-income New Mexicans have to pay while increasing the amount that middle and upper-income earners pay if their case undergoes a modification from the courts, the guidelines released by HSD this week revealed.

“The self-support reserve is designed to ensure that paying parents, particularly those near or below poverty, face a manageable financial obligation,” Gonzales McCracken said in a statement in support of the reform. “Research indicates that when child support payments are within their financial reach, parents are more likely to consistently meet their responsibilities, benefiting both the child and the custodial party.”