---
kind: "section"
citation: "42 U.S.C. § 658a"
title: "42"
title_heading: "The Public Health and Welfare"
number: "658a"
heading: "Incentive payments to States"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/42/658a"
units:
  - "Chapter 7 — Social Security"
  - "Subchapter IV — Grants to States for Aid and Services to Needy Families with Children and for Child-Welfare Services"
  - "Part D — Child Support and Establishment of Paternity"
---

# §658a. Incentive payments to States

- (a) **In general—** In addition to any other payment under this part, the [Secretary](/usc/42/1301.md?p=a-6) shall, subject to [subsection (f)](#f), make an incentive payment to each [State](/usc/42/619.md?p=5) for each [fiscal year](/usc/42/619.md?p=3) in an amount determined under [subsection (b)](#b).
- (b) **Amount of incentive payment—**
  - (1) **In general—** The incentive payment for a [State](/usc/42/619.md?p=5) for a [fiscal year](/usc/42/619.md?p=3) is equal to the incentive payment pool for the [fiscal year](/usc/42/619.md?p=3), multiplied by the [State](/usc/42/619.md?p=5) incentive payment share for the [fiscal year](/usc/42/619.md?p=3).
  - (2) **Incentive payment pool—**
    - (A) **In general—** In [paragraph (1)](#b-1), the term “incentive payment pool” means—
      - (i) $422,000,000 for [fiscal year](/usc/42/619.md?p=3) 2000;
      - (ii) $429,000,000 for [fiscal year](/usc/42/619.md?p=3) 2001;
      - (iii) $450,000,000 for [fiscal year](/usc/42/619.md?p=3) 2002;
      - (iv) $461,000,000 for [fiscal year](/usc/42/619.md?p=3) 2003;
      - (v) $454,000,000 for [fiscal year](/usc/42/619.md?p=3) 2004;
      - (vi) $446,000,000 for [fiscal year](/usc/42/619.md?p=3) 2005;
      - (vii) $458,000,000 for [fiscal year](/usc/42/619.md?p=3) 2006;
      - (viii) $471,000,000 for [fiscal year](/usc/42/619.md?p=3) 2007;
      - (ix) $483,000,000 for [fiscal year](/usc/42/619.md?p=3) 2008; and
      - (x) for any succeeding [fiscal year](/usc/42/619.md?p=3), the amount of the incentive payment pool for the [fiscal year](/usc/42/619.md?p=3) that precedes such succeeding [fiscal year](/usc/42/619.md?p=3), multiplied by the percentage (if any) by which the CPI for such preceding [fiscal year](/usc/42/619.md?p=3) exceeds the CPI for the second preceding [fiscal year](/usc/42/619.md?p=3).
    - (B) **CPI—** For purposes of [subparagraph (A)](#b-2-A), the CPI for a [fiscal year](/usc/42/619.md?p=3) is the average of the Consumer Price Index for the 12-month period ending on September 30 of the [fiscal year](/usc/42/619.md?p=3). As used in the preceding sentence, the term “Consumer Price Index” means the last Consumer Price Index for all-urban consumers published by the Department of Labor.
  - (3) **State incentive payment share—** In [paragraph (1)](#b-1), the term “[State](/usc/42/619.md?p=5) incentive payment share” means, with respect to a [fiscal year](/usc/42/619.md?p=3)—
    - (A) the incentive base amount for the [State](/usc/42/619.md?p=5) for the [fiscal year](/usc/42/619.md?p=3); divided by
    - (B) the sum of the incentive base amounts for all of the [States](/usc/42/619.md?p=5) for the [fiscal year](/usc/42/619.md?p=3).
  - (4) **Incentive base amount—** In [paragraph (3)](#b-3), the term “incentive base amount” means, with respect to a [State](/usc/42/619.md?p=5) and a [fiscal year](/usc/42/619.md?p=3), the sum of the applicable percentages (determined in accordance with [paragraph (6)](#b-6)) multiplied by the corresponding maximum incentive base amounts for the [State](/usc/42/619.md?p=5) for the [fiscal year](/usc/42/619.md?p=3), with respect to each of the following measures of [State](/usc/42/619.md?p=5) performance for the [fiscal year](/usc/42/619.md?p=3):
    - (A) The paternity establishment performance level.
    - (B) The support order performance level.
    - (C) The current payment performance level.
    - (D) The arrearage payment performance level.
    - (E) The cost-effectiveness performance level.
  - (5) **Maximum incentive base amount—**
    - (A) **In general—** For purposes of [paragraph (4)](#b-4), the maximum incentive base amount for a [State](/usc/42/619.md?p=5) for a [fiscal year](/usc/42/619.md?p=3) is—
      - (i) with respect to the performance measures described in subparagraphs [(A)](#b-4-A), [(B)](#b-4-B), and [(C)](#b-4-C) of paragraph (4), the [State](/usc/42/619.md?p=5) collections base for the [fiscal year](/usc/42/619.md?p=3); and
      - (ii) with respect to the performance measures described in subparagraphs [(D)](#b-4-D) and [(E)](#b-4-E) of paragraph (4), 75 percent of the [State](/usc/42/619.md?p=5) collections base for the [fiscal year](/usc/42/619.md?p=3).
    - (B) **Data required to be complete and reliable—** Notwithstanding [subparagraph (A)](#b-5-A), the maximum incentive base amount for a [State](/usc/42/619.md?p=5) for a [fiscal year](/usc/42/619.md?p=3) with respect to a performance measure described in [paragraph (4)](#b-4) is zero, unless the [Secretary](/usc/42/1301.md?p=a-6) determines, on the basis of an audit performed under [section 652(a)(4)(C)(i) of this title](/usc/42/652.md?p=a-4-C-i), that the data which the [State](/usc/42/619.md?p=5) submitted pursuant to [section 654(15)(B) of this title](/usc/42/654.md?p=15-B) for the [fiscal year](/usc/42/619.md?p=3) and which is used to determine the performance level involved is complete and reliable.
    - (C) **State collections base—** For purposes of [subparagraph (A)](#b-5-A), the [State](/usc/42/619.md?p=5) collections base for a [fiscal year](/usc/42/619.md?p=3) is equal to the sum of—
      - (i) 2 times the sum of—
        - (I) the total amount of support collected during the [fiscal year](/usc/42/619.md?p=3) under the [State](/usc/42/619.md?p=5) plan approved under this part in cases in which the support obligation involved is required to be assigned to the [State](/usc/42/619.md?p=5) pursuant to part A or E of this subchapter or subchapter XIX; and
        - (II) the total amount of support collected during the [fiscal year](/usc/42/619.md?p=3) under the [State](/usc/42/619.md?p=5) plan approved under this part in cases in which the support obligation involved was so assigned but, at the time of collection, is not required to be so assigned; and
      - (ii) the total amount of support collected during the [fiscal year](/usc/42/619.md?p=3) under the [State](/usc/42/619.md?p=5) plan approved under this part in all other cases.
  - (6) **Determination of applicable percentages based on performance levels—**
    - (A) **Paternity establishment—**
      - (i) **Determination of paternity establishment performance level—** The paternity establishment performance level for a [State](/usc/42/619.md?p=5) for a [fiscal year](/usc/42/619.md?p=3) is, at the option of the [State](/usc/42/619.md?p=5), the IV–D paternity establishment percentage determined under [section 652(g)(2)(A) of this title](/usc/42/652.md?p=g-2-A) or the statewide paternity establishment percentage determined under [section 652(g)(2)(B) of this title](/usc/42/652.md?p=g-2-B).
      - (ii) **Determination of applicable percentage—** The applicable percentage with respect to a [State](/usc/42/619.md?p=5)’s paternity establishment performance level is as follows:

        | If the paternity establishment performance level is: |  | The applicable percentage is: |
        | --- | --- | --- |
        | At least: | But less than: |  |
        | 80% |  | 100 |
        | 79% | 80% | 98 |
        | 78% | 79% | 96 |
        | 77% | 78% | 94 |
        | 76% | 77% | 92 |
        | 75% | 76% | 90 |
        | 74% | 75% | 88 |
        | 73% | 74% | 86 |
        | 72% | 73% | 84 |
        | 71% | 72% | 82 |
        | 70% | 71% | 80 |
        | 69% | 70% | 79 |
        | 68% | 69% | 78 |
        | 67% | 68% | 77 |
        | 66% | 67% | 76 |
        | 65% | 66% | 75 |
        | 64% | 65% | 74 |
        | 63% | 64% | 73 |
        | 62% | 63% | 72 |
        | 61% | 62% | 71 |
        | 60% | 61% | 70 |
        | 59% | 60% | 69 |
        | 58% | 59% | 68 |
        | 57% | 58% | 67 |
        | 56% | 57% | 66 |
        | 55% | 56% | 65 |
        | 54% | 55% | 64 |
        | 53% | 54% | 63 |
        | 52% | 53% | 62 |
        | 51% | 52% | 61 |
        | 50% | 51% | 60 |
        | 0% | 50% | 0. |

      Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, if the paternity establishment performance level of a [State](/usc/42/619.md?p=5) for a [fiscal year](/usc/42/619.md?p=3) is less than 50 percent but exceeds by at least 10 percentage points the paternity establishment performance level of the [State](/usc/42/619.md?p=5) for the immediately preceding [fiscal year](/usc/42/619.md?p=3), then the applicable percentage with respect to the [State](/usc/42/619.md?p=5)’s paternity establishment performance level is 50 percent.

    - (B) **Establishment of child support orders—**
      - (i) **Determination of support order performance level—** The support order performance level for a [State](/usc/42/619.md?p=5) for a [fiscal year](/usc/42/619.md?p=3) is the percentage of the total number of cases under the [State](/usc/42/619.md?p=5) plan approved under this part in which there is a support order during the [fiscal year](/usc/42/619.md?p=3).
      - (ii) **Determination of applicable percentage—** The applicable percentage with respect to a [State](/usc/42/619.md?p=5)’s support order performance level is as follows:

        | If the support order performance level is: |  | The applicable percentage is: |
        | --- | --- | --- |
        | At least: | But less than: |  |
        | 80% |  | 100 |
        | 79% | 80% | 98 |
        | 78% | 79% | 96 |
        | 77% | 78% | 94 |
        | 76% | 77% | 92 |
        | 75% | 76% | 90 |
        | 74% | 75% | 88 |
        | 73% | 74% | 86 |
        | 72% | 73% | 84 |
        | 71% | 72% | 82 |
        | 70% | 71% | 80 |
        | 69% | 70% | 79 |
        | 68% | 69% | 78 |
        | 67% | 68% | 77 |
        | 66% | 67% | 76 |
        | 65% | 66% | 75 |
        | 64% | 65% | 74 |
        | 63% | 64% | 73 |
        | 62% | 63% | 72 |
        | 61% | 62% | 71 |
        | 60% | 61% | 70 |
        | 59% | 60% | 69 |
        | 58% | 59% | 68 |
        | 57% | 58% | 67 |
        | 56% | 57% | 66 |
        | 55% | 56% | 65 |
        | 54% | 55% | 64 |
        | 53% | 54% | 63 |
        | 52% | 53% | 62 |
        | 51% | 52% | 61 |
        | 50% | 51% | 60 |
        | 0% | 50% | 0. |

      Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, if the support order performance level of a [State](/usc/42/619.md?p=5) for a [fiscal year](/usc/42/619.md?p=3) is less than 50 percent but exceeds by at least 5 percentage points the support order performance level of the [State](/usc/42/619.md?p=5) for the immediately preceding [fiscal year](/usc/42/619.md?p=3), then the applicable percentage with respect to the [State](/usc/42/619.md?p=5)’s support order performance level is 50 percent.

    - (C) **Collections on current child support due—**
      - (i) **Determination of current payment performance level—** The current payment performance level for a [State](/usc/42/619.md?p=5) for a [fiscal year](/usc/42/619.md?p=3) is equal to the total amount of current support collected during the [fiscal year](/usc/42/619.md?p=3) under the [State](/usc/42/619.md?p=5) plan approved under this part divided by the total amount of current support owed during the [fiscal year](/usc/42/619.md?p=3) in all cases under the [State](/usc/42/619.md?p=5) plan, expressed as a percentage.
      - (ii) **Determination of applicable percentage—** The applicable percentage with respect to a [State](/usc/42/619.md?p=5)’s current payment performance level is as follows:

        | If the current payment performance level is: |  | The applicable percentage is: |
        | --- | --- | --- |
        | At least: | But less than: |  |
        | 80% |  | 100 |
        | 79% | 80% | 98 |
        | 78% | 79% | 96 |
        | 77% | 78% | 94 |
        | 76% | 77% | 92 |
        | 75% | 76% | 90 |
        | 74% | 75% | 88 |
        | 73% | 74% | 86 |
        | 72% | 73% | 84 |
        | 71% | 72% | 82 |
        | 70% | 71% | 80 |
        | 69% | 70% | 79 |
        | 68% | 69% | 78 |
        | 67% | 68% | 77 |
        | 66% | 67% | 76 |
        | 65% | 66% | 75 |
        | 64% | 65% | 74 |
        | 63% | 64% | 73 |
        | 62% | 63% | 72 |
        | 61% | 62% | 71 |
        | 60% | 61% | 70 |
        | 59% | 60% | 69 |
        | 58% | 59% | 68 |
        | 57% | 58% | 67 |
        | 56% | 57% | 66 |
        | 55% | 56% | 65 |
        | 54% | 55% | 64 |
        | 53% | 54% | 63 |
        | 52% | 53% | 62 |
        | 51% | 52% | 61 |
        | 50% | 51% | 60 |
        | 49% | 50% | 59 |
        | 48% | 49% | 58 |
        | 47% | 48% | 57 |
        | 46% | 47% | 56 |
        | 45% | 46% | 55 |
        | 44% | 45% | 54 |
        | 43% | 44% | 53 |
        | 42% | 43% | 52 |
        | 41% | 42% | 51 |
        | 40% | 41% | 50 |
        | 0% | 40% | 0. |

      Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, if the current payment performance level of a [State](/usc/42/619.md?p=5) for a [fiscal year](/usc/42/619.md?p=3) is less than 40 percent but exceeds by at least 5 percentage points the current payment performance level of the [State](/usc/42/619.md?p=5) for the immediately preceding [fiscal year](/usc/42/619.md?p=3), then the applicable percentage with respect to the [State](/usc/42/619.md?p=5)’s current payment performance level is 50 percent.

    - (D) **Collections on child support arrearages—**
      - (i) **Determination of arrearage payment performance level—** The arrearage payment performance level for a [State](/usc/42/619.md?p=5) for a [fiscal year](/usc/42/619.md?p=3) is equal to the total number of cases under the [State](/usc/42/619.md?p=5) plan approved under this part in which payments of past-due [child](/usc/42/1382c.md?p=c) support were received during the [fiscal year](/usc/42/619.md?p=3) and part or all of the payments were distributed to the family to whom the past-due [child](/usc/42/1382c.md?p=c) support was owed (or, if all past-due [child](/usc/42/1382c.md?p=c) support owed to the family was, at the time of receipt, subject to an assignment to the [State](/usc/42/619.md?p=5), part or all of the payments were retained by the [State](/usc/42/619.md?p=5)) divided by the total number of cases under the [State](/usc/42/619.md?p=5) plan in which there is past-due [child](/usc/42/1382c.md?p=c) support, expressed as a percentage.
      - (ii) **Determination of applicable percentage—** The applicable percentage with respect to a [State](/usc/42/619.md?p=5)’s arrearage payment performance level is as follows:

        | If the arrearage payment performance level is: |  | The applicable percentage is: |
        | --- | --- | --- |
        | At least: | But less than: |  |
        | 80% |  | 100 |
        | 79% | 80% | 98 |
        | 78% | 79% | 96 |
        | 77% | 78% | 94 |
        | 76% | 77% | 92 |
        | 75% | 76% | 90 |
        | 74% | 75% | 88 |
        | 73% | 74% | 86 |
        | 72% | 73% | 84 |
        | 71% | 72% | 82 |
        | 70% | 71% | 80 |
        | 69% | 70% | 79 |
        | 68% | 69% | 78 |
        | 67% | 68% | 77 |
        | 66% | 67% | 76 |
        | 65% | 66% | 75 |
        | 64% | 65% | 74 |
        | 63% | 64% | 73 |
        | 62% | 63% | 72 |
        | 61% | 62% | 71 |
        | 60% | 61% | 70 |
        | 59% | 60% | 69 |
        | 58% | 59% | 68 |
        | 57% | 58% | 67 |
        | 56% | 57% | 66 |
        | 55% | 56% | 65 |
        | 54% | 55% | 64 |
        | 53% | 54% | 63 |
        | 52% | 53% | 62 |
        | 51% | 52% | 61 |
        | 50% | 51% | 60 |
        | 49% | 50% | 59 |
        | 48% | 49% | 58 |
        | 47% | 48% | 57 |
        | 46% | 47% | 56 |
        | 45% | 46% | 55 |
        | 44% | 45% | 54 |
        | 43% | 44% | 53 |
        | 42% | 43% | 52 |
        | 41% | 42% | 51 |
        | 40% | 41% | 50 |
        | 0% | 40% | 0. |

      Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, if the arrearage payment performance level of a [State](/usc/42/619.md?p=5) for a [fiscal year](/usc/42/619.md?p=3) is less than 40 percent but exceeds by at least 5 percentage points the arrearage payment performance level of the [State](/usc/42/619.md?p=5) for the immediately preceding [fiscal year](/usc/42/619.md?p=3), then the applicable percentage with respect to the [State](/usc/42/619.md?p=5)’s arrearage payment performance level is 50 percent.

    - (E) **Cost-effectiveness—**
      - (i) **Determination of cost-effectiveness performance level—** The cost-effectiveness performance level for a [State](/usc/42/619.md?p=5) for a [fiscal year](/usc/42/619.md?p=3) is equal to the total amount collected during the [fiscal year](/usc/42/619.md?p=3) under the [State](/usc/42/619.md?p=5) plan approved under this part divided by the total amount expended during the [fiscal year](/usc/42/619.md?p=3) under the [State](/usc/42/619.md?p=5) plan, expressed as a ratio.
      - (ii) **Determination of applicable percentage—** The applicable percentage with respect to a [State](/usc/42/619.md?p=5)’s cost-effectiveness performance level is as follows:

        | If the cost-effectiveness performance level is: |  | The applicable percentage is: |
        | --- | --- | --- |
        | At least: | But less than: |  |
        | 5.00 |  | 100 |
        | 4.50 | 4.99 | 90 |
        | 4.00 | 4.50 | 80 |
        | 3.50 | 4.00 | 70 |
        | 3.00 | 3.50 | 60 |
        | 2.50 | 3.00 | 50 |
        | 2.00 | 2.50 | 40 |
        | 0.00 | 2.00 | 0. |

- (c) **Treatment of interstate collections—** In computing incentive payments under this section, support which is collected by a [State](/usc/42/619.md?p=5) at the request of another [State](/usc/42/619.md?p=5) shall be treated as having been collected in full by both [States](/usc/42/619.md?p=5), and any amounts expended by a [State](/usc/42/619.md?p=5) in carrying out a special [project](/usc/42/13641.md?p=2) assisted under [section 655(e) of this title](/usc/42/655.md?p=e) shall be excluded.
- (d) **Administrative provisions—** The amounts of the incentive payments to be made to the [States](/usc/42/619.md?p=5) under this section for a [fiscal year](/usc/42/619.md?p=3) shall be estimated by the [Secretary](/usc/42/1301.md?p=a-6) at/or before the beginning of the [fiscal year](/usc/42/619.md?p=3) on the basis of the best information available. The [Secretary](/usc/42/1301.md?p=a-6) shall make the payments for the [fiscal year](/usc/42/619.md?p=3), on a quarterly basis (with each quarterly payment being made no later than the beginning of the quarter involved), in the amounts so estimated, reduced or increased to the extent of any overpayments or underpayments which the [Secretary](/usc/42/1301.md?p=a-6) determines were made under this section to the [States](/usc/42/619.md?p=5) involved for prior periods and with respect to which adjustment has not already been made under this subsection. Upon the making of any estimate by the [Secretary](/usc/42/1301.md?p=a-6) under the preceding sentence, any appropriations available for payments under this section are deemed obligated.
- (e) **Regulations—** The [Secretary](/usc/42/1301.md?p=a-6) shall prescribe such regulations as may be necessary governing the calculation of incentive payments under this section, [including](/usc/42/1301.md?p=b) directions for excluding from the calculations certain closed cases and cases over which the [States](/usc/42/619.md?p=5) do not have jurisdiction.
- (f) **Reinvestment—** A [State](/usc/42/619.md?p=5) to which a payment is made under this section shall expend the full amount of the payment to supplement, and not supplant, other funds used by the [State](/usc/42/619.md?p=5)—
  - (1) to carry out the [State](/usc/42/619.md?p=5) plan approved under this part; or
  - (2) for any activity ([including](/usc/42/1301.md?p=b) cost-effective contracts with local [agencies](/usc/42/1397n–12.md?p=1)) approved by the [Secretary](/usc/42/1301.md?p=a-6), whether or not the expenditures for the activity are eligible for reimbursement under this part, which may contribute to improving the effectiveness or efficiency of the [State](/usc/42/619.md?p=5) program operated under this part.

## Source credit

(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title IV, § 458, formerly § 458A, as added and renumbered § 458, Pub. L. 105–200, title II, § 201(a), (f)(2)(A), July 16, 1998, 112 Stat. 648, 658.)

## Notes

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Effective Date

Pub. L. 105–200, title II, § 201(g), July 16, 1998, 112 Stat. 658, provided that: “Except as otherwise provided in this section [enacting this section, amending this section and sections 652, 655, and 658 of this title, repealing section 658 of this title, enacting provisions set out as notes under this section and sections 652 and 655 of this title, amending provisions set out as notes under this section and sections 652 and 658 of this title, and repealing provisions set out as a note under section 658 of this title], the amendments made by this section shall take effect on October 1, 1999.”

### Regulations

Pub. L. 105–200, title II, § 201(c), July 16, 1998, 112 Stat. 656, provided that: “Within 9 months after the date of the enactment of this section [July 16, 1998], the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall prescribe regulations governing the implementation of section 458A [now 458] of the Social Security Act [42 U.S.C. 658a] when such section takes effect and the implementation of subsection (b) of this section [formerly set out as a note below].”

### Transition Rule

Pub. L. 105–200, title II, § 201(b), July 16, 1998, 112 Stat. 656, provided for reductions by the Secretary of the amount otherwise payable to a State under this section and former section 658 of this title for fiscal years 2000 and 2001.

### Studies

Pub. L. 105–200, title II, § 201(d), (f)(2)(C), July 16, 1998, 112 Stat. 656, 658, provided that:General review of new incentive payment system.— In general.—The Secretary of Health and Human Services shall conduct a study of the implementation of the incentive payment system established by section 458 of the Social Security Act [42 U.S.C. 658a], in order to identify the problems and successes of the system.Reports to the congress.— Report on variations in state performance attributable to demographic variables.—Not later than October 1, 2000, the Secretary shall submit to the Congress a report that identifies any demographic or economic variables that account for differences in the performance levels achieved by the States with respect to the performance measures used in the system, and contains the recommendations of the Secretary for such adjustments to the system as may be necessary to ensure that the relative performance of States is measured from a baseline that takes account of any such variables. Interim report.—Not later than March 1, 2001, the Secretary shall submit to the Congress an interim report that contains the findings of the study required by subparagraph (A). Final report.—Not later than October 1, 2003, the Secretary shall submit to the Congress a final report that contains the final findings of the study required by subparagraph (A). The report shall include any recommendations for changes in the system that the Secretary determines would improve the operation of the child support enforcement program.Development of medical support incentive.— In general.—The Secretary of Health and Human Services, in consultation with State directors of programs operated under part D of title IV of the Social Security Act [42 U.S.C. 651 et seq.] and representatives of children potentially eligible for medical support, shall develop a performance measure based on the effectiveness of States in establishing and enforcing medical support obligations, and shall make recommendations for the incorporation of the measure, in a revenue neutral manner, into the incentive payment system established by section 458A [now 458] of the Social Security Act [42 U.S.C. 658a]. Report.—Not later than October 1, 1999, the Secretary shall submit to the Congress a report that describes the performance measure and contains the recommendations required by subparagraph (A).”