JEFFERSON CITY, MO – Approximately 10,000 Missouri families will receive additional one-time payments after The State of Missouri’s Office of Administration took immediate action against a state contractor when the vendor failed to timely issue debits cards containing child support payments.
Systems and Methods, Inc. (SMI) is the vendor of record responsible for issuing monthly child support payments to custodial parents through the State’s Department of Social Services (DSS). A sub-contractor used by SMI failed to timely mail the cards. When SMI failed to issue debits cards on time, parents were unable to access their funds, affecting their ability to pay bills or purchase groceries.
The terms of the contract allow the State to assess SMI liquidated damages for the delay in issuing the cards during the Oct. 11-25 timeframe. SMI agreed to pay fees the State incurred due to the delay in payments in the amount of $6,848.00 as a liquidated damage.
In addition to paying liquidated damages, SMI will issue a letter to card recipients apologizing for the inconvenience related to SMI’s failure to timely mail the smiONE card. SMI has also agreed to assist individuals who incurred late-payment fees or other associated charges. Finally, SMI will make a one-time deposit to impacted custodial parent cards totaling approximately $290,000. These payments will be added during the next payment cycle.
Parents can call the smiONE card customer service line at 1-855-403-8342 or go to the website for more information.
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