Collection Services
Collections - Billing
The Collections Billing Unit’s primary responsibility is to maximize revenue by investigating billing and collecting for services provided by the Departments of Developmental Services, Mental Health and Addiction Services and Children and Families whose facilities and programs span the state.
This unit also provides billing and collection services for the Department of Social Services’ School-Based Child Health program as well as for the Department of Veterans’ Affairs. In addition, it administers approximately 1,200 trust accounts on behalf of individuals residing in state-run facilities.
Collections - Recovery
The Collections Recovery Unit is responsible for collecting money due the State of Connecticut from decedent estates or the recipients of unearned income/assets from lawsuits, personal injury insurance claims or inheritances.
When an individual applies for State aid either with the Departments of Social Services, Mental Health & Addiction Services, Children and Families, Developmental Services or has been sentenced to serve a term in jail by a Connecticut Court they are liable for the full amount of assistance received, cost of their care or cost of incarceration.
The Recovery Unit identifies individuals or their legally liable relatives who owe the State money and places a claim on the estate or lien with the attorney for the lawsuit/claim.
There are rules that limit the amount of money the State may collect from the windfall and these are found in the Connecticut General Statutes §4a-12, 4a-16, 17b-93, 17b-94, 17b-95, 17b-224 ,17b-265, 18-85a 18-85b 18-85c, 46b129(l) and 46b-130.
There are additional rules that apply to specific programs found in the Federal codes, which outline the State’s requirement to have estate recovery programs in order to receive Federal dollars.
The State must follow these rules when it collects from individuals or estates. If you have any questions regarding this process, you may contact Kathy Sobieski of the Recovery Unit through the following email link: Kathleen.Sobieski@ct.gov or via telephone at (860) 713-5261 or view our frequently asked questions section below.
Delinquent Accounts
The Delinquent Accounts Unit is responsible for pursuing collection of institutional and public assistance delinquent accounts receivables. Through signed inter-agency agreements the unit acts as a consultant and/or collection agent for a wide variety of state agencies in the collection of past due accounts.
Delinquent Accounts staff possesses the authority and expertise to file a variety of legal papers in Small Claims Court and make service of process. The unit uses several methods to obtain monies owed the state such as: utilizing the services of an outside collection agency, payment arrangements, court orders, bank and wage executions, property liens, mortgages, intercepts of state income tax refunds and rebates, intercepts of federal income tax refunds, and liens on annuity lottery winnings.
Connecticut State Tax Intercept Program
The Connecticut State Tax Intercept Program was started in 1991 under Connecticut General Statute 12-742. Under the law, the Commissioner of Administrative Services is authorized to intercept State Refunds to offset debts or obligations owed.
Currently, the Department of Administrative Services offsets for its own debt and also for the Department of Social Services, Department of Labor, and University of Connecticut, Connecticut Higher Education Supplemental Loan Authority and the State University System which includes, Central, Eastern, Southern and Western Universities.
When you file your Connecticut State Income Tax and are due a refund, the Department of Revenue Services matches their refund files to our information, and they may then offset that refund. You will receive a notice from DRS advising you of the offset and whom you may contact for additional information.
FAQs
Q: I paid my child support order already, why am I getting a lien on my lawsuit or inheritance to pay back the public assistance again?
A: State law holds both parents equally and separately liable for the full amount of assistance paid for the benefit of their legally liable children. Child support orders are determined by income and payments often are far less than the amount of assistance that was received by the children and their caretaker. Example: A parent is ordered to pay $200 per month in child support, but the state pays out $500 per month for the children and caretaker, this leaves $300 per month in unreimbursed assistance that is owed the State of Connecticut.
Q. I received cash assistance back in 1981, why are you trying to collect the money now? Is there a statute of limitation to collect the money?
A: By state law, there is no statute of limitation to collect public assistance benefits. The Department of Administrative Services routinely places liens on lawsuits or inheritances for assistance received as far back as 1968.
Q: My lawsuit settled for $2,500.00, how am I going to payback the $10,000.00 on the lien?
A: Generally after your attorney gets paid, plus any medical expenses related to your lawsuit, the State would take up to half of the money left for you or the amount of the lien, whichever is less. You are still liable for the remainder of the assistance.
Q: What is the address for payment or correspondence and to whom do I make checks payable?
A: Make checks payable to State of Connecticut and mail all correspondence to: Department of Administrative Services, 165 Capitol Ave. Suite 5N Hartford, CT 06106. Please place the account number/reference number on all checks and correspondences.
Q: I filed a claim against an insurance company because of an injury, why is the State placing a lien on the claim?
A: Under a new law that took effect in 2005, insurance claims are matched up against records for public assistance, incarceration and care or support with either the Departments of Social Services, Corrections, Mental Health and Addiction Services, Developmental Services or Children and Families and a lien is placed to recover money that you owe the state from the money you may receive from that insurance compnay.
Q: If I lose my case or don’t get an inheritance, does the State bill me for the amount of the lien?
A: Your past or current liability is not pursued as an active bill. The State does not send you a monthly bill, send your account to private bill collectors or put any information on your credit report.
Disclosure: The preceding frequently asked question section does not constitute legal advice and may not apply to your specific case. Please contact the Reimbursement Analyst assigned your case or call the unit number below for further assistance.
Contact Us
Collections Billing: 860-713-5400
Collections Recovery: 860-713-5261
Delinquent Accounts/State Tax Intercept Program: 860-713-5460
Collections Main Fax Number: 860-713-7407