Make support payments through the FRO
Question & Answer
How does the FRO enforce spousal support?If the support is paying through the (FRO), they make their support payments directly to the FRO, not to their partner. Once the FRO receives the money, they send it to the partner receiving support within 24 to 48 hours.
Make sure all payments go through the FRO. If the support payor gives a support payment directly to the partner receiving support, it will not show up on the account at the FRO.
The FRO charges the support payor $100 every time they have to adjust the account so that it shows the right amount of support that has been paid. But, if the partner receiving support says they did not get the payment, the FRO will not credit the account.
Paying support through the FRO
If the support payor is employed and on a regular payroll, the FRO can take payments directly from their income. This is called garnishing wages. But these automatic deductions take time to set up. And, until they are set up, the support payor must send their spousal support payments directly to the FRO.
If the support payor is self-employed, unemployed, or not on a regular payroll, they must pay the FRO directly by:
- Making pre-authorized payments from their bank account. They need to fill out the Preauthorized Debit Application.
- Paying online by adding the FRO as a payee. The account number is the FRO case number. A FRO case number always starts with 0 or 1 and is 7 digits long.
- Writing a cheque or money order payable to: The Director, Family Responsibility Office.
Support payors should always include the 7-digit FRO case number and their full name on the payments and in all letters to the FRO.
And support payors should keep a record of spousal support payments. The FRO does not issue year-end statements.
