Getting to Know Poor Fathers Who Do Not Pay Child Support

About 2.5 million nonresident fathers are poor and do not pay child support. Most of them face multiple employment barriers, just like poor custodial mothers, but are significantly less likely than those mothers to participate in work‐support programs such as training, education, job search activities, or income security programs. Without access to work‐support programs, these fathers will remain unable to provide the financial support that their children need. Given that Congress expects poor nonresident fathers to support their children, it may want to consider directing work‐support programs to them so that they can fulfill their financial obligations to their children.