My question is that my boyfriend owes back child support and we wanted to know who gets the back child support money? The child's mother is on welfare so does that make a difference since she has already received the money up front from the state? Do we pay the state back for the back arrears or does that money go to the child's mother?

Normally you merely pay the court the back child support and they pay it out as required. I recommend always paying though the court and never paying the money directly to the mother. By paying the court you always have a record of your payment.

Also you may want to consult your attorney, if you are being billed by the state welfare department to see if this is part of the child support or additional money due.

In most states if the mother is on welfare the child support money go to the Social services not to the mother.

As a parent in the state of MS, the child support has to go through the state for my ex to get credit. If he sends the money directly to me, the state expects me to send them the money to them. They will then give me the money on a debit card. But if he does not send the money... the state does not give me any money. As for the use of social services... you have to cooperate with the MS child support enforcement services to receive any help. But they do now pay you child support out of their pocket... if he does not send it... then we do not get it... and the KIDs go without.