NB 601
May 1, 2008
FREDERICTON (CNB) - Those who pay child support are being asked by Justice and Consumer Affairs Minister T.J. Burke not to let the flooding situation in Fredericton delay their payments.
"Children and families depend on the regular flow of support payments, and we have two issues right now that could delay those payments to some families," Burke said. "One deals with people who would normally make payments in person at the Justice Building downtown, and the other deals with cheques that were scheduled to go out today.
"I am asking people who would normally pay their child and family support payments in person at the Justice Building in downtown Fredericton to make alternative arrangements, because the Justice Building is closed until further notice."
Payers may make their payments online through online banking services. They need only their account number (which begins with SE, followed by nine numbers). Family Support Order Service (FSOS) is registered with all of the major banks as Family Support - Province of NB.
The other option is to pay in person at the Centennial Building at 670 King St., Fredericton, when the FSOS office reopens. Clients should identify themselves to the commissionaire, and a staff member will assist them.
"Tomorrow we expect that the flooding situation will allow for FSOS staff to set up at the Centennial Building to accept cash, money orders and certified cheques, although credit and debit card payments cannot be made at the Centennial Building," Burke said.
Burke confirmed that all clients who receive their payments by direct deposit had their payments go out today as scheduled. However, cheques printed today (from yesterday's payments) have not left the Centennial Building, because mail is no longer moving downtown.
"Payments made today will go out tomorrow if the Office of the Comptroller is operating," Burke said.
FSOS is a free government service that is responsible for monitoring and enforcing support orders and agreements that are filed with the program. Every year in New Brunswick, FSOS collects more than $30 million in child support alone.
08/05/01
MEDIA CONTACT: Valerie Kilfoil, Justice and Consumer Affairs, 506-470-3178.
08/05/01