# Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 62D, sec. 3: Assistance in collection rendered by department; distribution > Massachusetts · Statutes · In force URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TIX_C62D_S3 ## Section - **Citation:** Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 62D, sec. 3 - **Heading:** Assistance in collection rendered by department; distribution - **Jurisdiction:** Massachusetts - **Kind:** Statutes - **Status:** In force - **Text as of:** August 14, 2026 - **Source:** Compiled text - **Location:** MA Code / Part I / Title IX / Chapter 62D / Section 3 ## Text Section 3. Subject to the limitations contained in this chapter, the department shall, upon the request of the claimant agency, render assistance in the collection of debts owed to the obligee. This assistance shall be provided by setting off refunds due the debtor from the department by the sum certified by the claimant agency as due and owing. Upon application of an obligee, or upon its own initiative, the claimant agency shall include the claim of such obligee for the debt with such requests for assistance; provided that such a debt shall have arisen under a court order or an adjudication by the division of medical assistance; and provided further, that in the case of a court order such order is ordered to be collected by the probation department, or the claimant agency. The claimant agency is authorized to request sufficient information from the obligee as needed to carry out the purposes of this chapter and to require such obligee to certify the amount of such debt. In the event there is a debt owed to the department of transitional assistance and to the obligee, the claimant agency shall notify the obligee of the amounts certified, the respective dates the debts were incurred and that the most recently owed obligation will be satisfied first. The claimant agency shall thereafter distribute any amounts intercepted between the department of transitional assistance and the obligee so that the most recently owed obligation is satisfied first, subject to the provisions of sections five and six of this chapter. In the event that the department charges a fee for such assistance to the claimant agency, the claimant agency is authorized to charge a fee to the obligor. Section 3. Subject to the limitations contained in this chapter, the department shall, upon the request of the claimant agency, render assistance in the collection of debts owed to the obligee. This assistance shall be provided by setting off refunds due the debtor from the department by the sum certified by the claimant agency as due and owing. Upon application of an obligee, or upon its own initiative, the claimant agency shall include the claim of such obligee for the debt with such requests for assistance; provided that such a debt shall have arisen under a court order or an adjudication by the division of medical assistance; and provided further, that in the case of a court order such order is ordered to be collected by the probation department, or the claimant agency. The claimant agency is authorized to request sufficient information from the obligee as needed to carry out the purposes of this chapter and to require such obligee to certify the amount of such debt. In the event there is a debt owed to the department of transitional assistance and to the obligee, the claimant agency shall notify the obligee of the amounts certified, the respective dates the debts were incurred and that the most recently owed obligation will be satisfied first. The claimant agency shall thereafter distribute any amounts intercepted between the department of transitional assistance and the obligee so that the most recently owed obligation is satisfied first, subject to the provisions of sections five and six of this chapter. In the event that the department charges a fee for such assistance to the claimant agency, the claimant agency is authorized to charge a fee to the obligor. ## Nearby sections - [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 62D, sec. 1 Definitions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TIX_C62D_S1.md) - [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 62D, sec. 2 Minimum amount for set-off and collection](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TIX_C62D_S2.md) - [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 62D, sec. 3 Assistance in collection rendered by department; distribution](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TIX_C62D_S3.md) - [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 62D, sec. 4 Notice and furnishing of information to department by claimant agency; notice to debtor](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TIX_C62D_S4.md) - [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 62D, sec. 5 Transfer of funds owed to claimant agency; deposit in escrow account; notice to taxpayer](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TIX_C62D_S5.md) - [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 62D, sec. 6 Hearing on disputed claims](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TIX_C62D_S6.md) - [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 62D, sec. 7 Right of appeal; finalization of set-off](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TIX_C62D_S7.md) - [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 62D, sec. 8 Removal and forwarding of amount from escrow upon final determination; crediting of obligation; notice](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TIX_C62D_S8.md) - [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 62D, sec. 9 Notice to debtor of finalization of set-off; disbursement of outstanding balance due](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TIX_C62D_S9.md) - [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 62D, sec. 10 Disclosure of information; use](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TIX_C62D_S10.md) - [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 62D, sec. 10A Wage information sharing; reciprocal agreements with other states](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TIX_C62D_S10A.md) - [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 62D, sec. 11 Rules and regulations](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TIX_C62D_S11.md) - [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 62D, sec. 12 Additional remedies](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TIX_C62D_S12.md) - [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 62D, sec. 13 Priority of set-off](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TIX_C62D_S13.md) --- Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TIX_C62D_S3. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.