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Support Enforcement Program

For secure on-line access to your account with Support Enforcement, please log in:

If you are not signed up, or for more information, Read our brochure opens new window(795 KB).

The Support Enforcement Division performs a number of services related to the collection and distribution of court-ordered funds for support, maintenance or alimony. The authority for the establishment of the agency lies under the Support Orders Enforcement Act, 2006.

Responsible for

  • Registering Support Orders issued in the province and incoming Support Orders from other jurisdictions (final and provisional) for enforcement;
  • Receiving and disbursing court-ordered funds for support, maintenance or alimony;
  • Issuing Notices of Garnishment (employers, banks, federal government);
  • Transmitting Support Orders to other jurisdictions (final and provisional);
  • Initiating Default Summonses;
  • Tracing delinquent payers; and
  • Initiating seizure and sale under the Judgment Enforcement Act
  • Receiving and transmitting ISO applications under the Interjurisdictional Support Orders Act.

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Collection Actions

When payments are not made on court orders or agreements registered with the Support Enforcement Program (SEP), collection action(s) will be taken. SEP has many collection tools available and may use one or more of these tools to achieve compliance on an order. The following is a list of these actions:

  • Wage Garnishments
    SEP can require employers to make scheduled deductions from a debtor's wages in order to bring about compliance. All wage garnishees attach 50%* of the debtors net pay until the arrears are paid. After arrears are paid, wages are attached only for the amount due under the order. *SEP has the authority to take 100% under certain conditions.
  • Bank Garnishment
    SEP can intercept money payable to the debtor from bank accounts or other sources such as mutual funds, rent or contract fees. It also will intercept money on deposit up to the amount outstanding with SEP. This includes joint bank accounts.
  • Pension Garnishment
    SEP can attach certain pension entitlements that a debtor is entitled to under a Registered Pension Plan.
  • Federal Garnishment
    Under an agreement with the Federal Justice Department, SEP can attach funds payable to the debtor from federal sources, such as Income Tax refunds, GST/HST rebates, Canada Pension Plans, Training Allowances and Employment Insurance. SEP attaches 100% of Income Tax and GST rebates.
  • Federal Licence Denial
    Under an agreement with the federal Justice Department, SEP can restrict the issuing of passports, federal licences, and permits. SEP can also cause an existing passport or federal licence to be revoked.
  • Credit Bureau Reporting
    SEP can report a failure to pay child or spousal support to the credit bureau as a bad debt.
  • Registration with the Sheriff Under the Judgment Enforcement Act, SEP can register the unpaid support with the High Sheriff. This registration is a lien against all real property and can prevent the owner from re-mortgaging or selling the property without settling the unpaid balance with SEP. SEP can also force the sale of real estate.
  • Seize and Sell Action
    SEP can seize and sell a debtor's assets (i.e. Vehicles, Inventory, RRSP's, shares, bonds etc.) through the High Sheriff. The seized assets may be sold to settle the debtor's arrears.
  • Default Hearing
    SEP can issue a default summons against the debtor to appear in court and give evidence why they have not complied with their support obligation. The court can send a debtor to jail for continued non-payment of support.
  • Suspend/Cancel Big Game Licences
    SEP can issue a Notice to Wildlife Division of the Department of Environment and Conservation to suspend or cancel debtor’s Big Game Licences.
  • Motor Vehicle Restrictions
    SEP can issue a Notice to Registrar of Motor Vehicles to suspend or refuse to renew a debtor’s driving privileges.

Note: The above are presented for information purposes only and may not be able to be used in all cases. If there are any discrepancies between the Act and the information above, the Act will prevail.

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Balance and Payment Inquiries

Integrated Voice Response System (IVR): (709) 729-3295 or 1 (800) 563-5330 (Canada wide)

The Integrated Voice Response System (IVR) is only available to those who receive support. Support recipients will need to enter their seven digit account number and their six-digit Personal Identification Number (PIN) to receive information. The IVR will provide the date and amount of the last payment issued and the balance of your account left outstanding. The PIN was issued upon registration with the Support Enforcement Office. A lost or misplaced PIN can be retrieved by contacting the Support Enforcement Office at the number listed below.

Hours of Operation

The IVR service is now available 24 hours a day seven days a week Canada wide. To further improve service, payment information will now be updated each weekday evening* for the next business day and in the event of a weekend, for the first business day of the following week. This enhancement will provide recipients with the knowledge of a payment prior to it being issued and avoid delays currently experienced each morning. As an example, the IVR will now report over weekends, payments that will be issued on Monday or in the case of a long weekend, the following Tuesday. Users will notice that the response will say "the last cheque was issued or will be issued on..." The addition of "will be issued" is to notify users of a pending payment date.

Note: The update time of the IVR each evening varies depending on the demand on the computer. We therefore suggest that you call for your information as late as possible in the evening, early in the morning, or in the case of a weekend, Saturday or Sunday.

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How to pay your support

Payment Options opens new window(10 KB)

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Child Support Recalculation Service

The Child Support Recalculation Service helps parents maintain a fair standard of support for their children. This assistance is provided when child support is ordered by the court or included in filed written agreements that are registered with the service. The amount of child support is reviewed annually and usually updated if there is a change in the income of the person ordered to pay support. The Recalculation Service operates independently from the Support Enforcement Program as part of the services provided under the Family Justice Services Division. A brochure is included below.

 Recalculation Information Brochure opens new window(100 KB)

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Resolving Problems

Problem Review Process: 

If you have identified a problem with how your case is being handled, you should follow the process as outlined below: 

  1. Discuss the matter with your case worker. The case worker may be able to assist you after identifying the problem.
  2. If you are unable to resolve the problem to your satisfaction, ask to speak to the case worker’s manager.
  3. If the manager is unable to resolve the issue, you can ask to speak with the Director, or if you wish, have your problem reviewed by the Director by submitting a written request. All written requests to resolve a problem must be addressed as follows:

Director of Support Enforcement
Re: Problem Review Process
P.O Box 2006
Corner Brook, NL
A2H 6J8

 If a written communication is received an acknowledgement of receipt will follow. Within 30 days of receipt of your letter you will receive a response from the Director. Because of the high volume of mail received each day it is very important that the address be marked exactly as shown so that your letter is properly directed.

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How to contact us

Contact Information for the Support Enforcement Division.

Please note that due to the volume of calls received we cannot guarantee that you will be able to speak with someone immediately. Utilize the Enforcement Officers voice messaging system and your call will be returned within two business days.

Business Hours:

Summer

  • 8:30am - 12:30pm
  • 1:30 pm - 4:00pm

Winter

  • 8:30am - 12:30pm
  • 1:00 pm - 4:30pm

Please note that there are enforcement officers that work outside of the main office hours during the winter and leave at 4:00pm. They are however available in the afternoon commencing at 1:00pm. Enforcement officers who leave at 4:00 are coloured blue in the directory listed below.

Telephone Listings opens new window(60 KB).

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Interjurisdictional Support Orders

The Interjurisdictional Support Orders Act (ISO) is used to obtain or vary an order for support or to request registration and enforcement of an order where one of the parties does not live in the same jurisdiction within Canada, the United States or any other reciprocating country.

SEP's only involvement under ISO is to receive and or transmit applications and orders for the applicant or claimant under the responsibility of the "Designated Authority". If you require assistance in filing out the application you should contact your local Family Justice Service Division branch for an appointment.

To seek or vary an order under ISO the applicant or claimant must file an application with the designated authority for transmittal to the reciprocating jurisdiction (other province, territory or country).  The address of the Designated Authority is as follows

Support Enforcement Division
Attention: ISO Designated Authority
Department of Justice
9th. floor, Sir Richard Squires Building
P.O. Box 2006
Corner Brook, NL A2H 6J8
Tel:  (709) 637-2608
Fax: (709) 634-9518                                                                                                                                                                                                     
 

Forms

ISO and the USA

To establish/vary an order in the United States, the following US forms are available or if you wish to use the ISO forms, attach the US Petition and Transmittal form to ensure the application is recognized. These forms are as follows and are in PDF format.

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Publications

Newfoundland & Labrador Support Enforcement Program brochure

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Quick Links

Provincial and Territorial Maintenance Enforcement Programs

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