To avoid collection action, late penalties and interest, it is important that debtors select a payment method that ensures payments are received by the Maintenance Enforcement Program (MEP) on or before the court-ordered due date. The effective date of payment for all payment methods is the date the payment is received at MEP, not the date it is sent to MEP. In order for payments to be recorded to the correct account, your name and MEP account number must be on your payment transactions.

The following are the best and most convenient ways for debtors to make payments to MEP. These payment methods also help your family receive their maintenance quicker.

• Pre-authorized bank withdrawal: Debtors may pay by automatic withdrawal from a Canadian financial institution. To take advantage of this option, you will need to complete and return a Debtor Payment Form.* Debtors must keep MEP advised of any change to the bank account.

• Telephone or Internet banking: You may need to contact your bank to discuss setting up these payment options. Debtors should be aware that it can take several days for Internet or telephone banking payments to be received by MEP. Payments made close to a statutory holiday will require additional time for MEP to receive. Please ensure you allow enough time for processing by financial institutions so you can avoid late penalties and interest.

• Support deduction notice with your employer: Debtors may pay by automatic deduction from their paycheques. To take advantage of this option, you will need to complete and return a Debtor Payment Form.* If payments from your support deduction notice cannot reach MEP on or before the court-ordered due date, you should contact MEP to make a payment arrangement to build a credit so that you are not charged late penalties and interest. It is also important to keep MEP informed if your employment changes.

  Debtors who do not receive a regular wage or salary (e.g. commission or contract work) or who work outside of Alberta must confirm with their employer that the support deduction notice will be honoured.

Debtors may also make payments to MEP in the following ways:

• In person at the MEP office: At MEP’s office in Edmonton you may pay by cash, debit, cheque or money order.
• By mail: You may mail your certified cheque or money order to:
  Maintenance Enforcement Program
  7^th Floor, J.E. Brownlee Building
  10365 – 97 Street
  Edmonton, AB T5J 3W7.

For debtors residing outside Canada, please see MEP's information sheet entitled Making Payments From Outside Canada (catalogue #99022).

* Debtor Payment Forms may be found on MEP’s website or ordered through the MEP Info Line. To reach the MEP Info Line call 780-422-5555 or dial 310-0000 for toll-free access anywhere in Alberta. Debtor Payment Forms are catalogue #99010.