DCSS recognizes that there are certain circumstances that may make it difficult for support payors to meet their child support obligations. We offer customer incentive programs to help with past-due payments. Continue reading to find out if you qualify.
GED/High School Diploma
If you get your High School Diploma or General Educational Development (GED) certificate (after July 2014), you may be eligible for a reduction of up to $1,000 of monies (arrears, clearinghouse and/or genetic testing fees) owed to DCSS.
Find out if you qualify:
Submit a copy of your high school transcript or GED transcript (dated after July 2014)
DCSS Hardship Program
If circumstances occur that permanently affect your ability to pay child support and you have past-due (arrears) payments, you may be eligible for the DCSS Hardship Program.
Check Eligibility
If you think you qualify, contact your case manager or the DCSS Customer Service at 602-252-4045 or 1-800-882-4151.
Settlement Program
The DCSS Settlement Program assists noncustodial parents who may have a large arrears balance on their child support case. It provides an opportunity to pay off past-due arrears balances.
If you are limited in your ability to pay, you may offer to settle your arrears balance by paying either a lump sum or by making monthly installments that can be accepted for up to 3 months.
To participate in the program:
- Think in advance about how much you would like to offer to settle the past due amount.
- Stop by a local DCSS office or contact the DCSS Customer Service Center at 602-252-4045 or 1-800-882-4151, or email the DCSS Settlement Team at [email protected] to submit your settlement offer
Note: The state’s role is not to advocate the amount of the settlement, but to facilitate whatever offer is appropriate for the state and the parties involved in the case. The DCSS cannot require a custodial parent to accept a settlement offer.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Settlement Program
My wages are being withheld; will a settlement offer stop the withholding?
The wage withholding may be stopped by DCSS if the case is an arrears only case and there is no current support obligation accruing. The wage withholding may be changed to current support only if the current child support obligation is being paid.
What happens with credit reporting when my settlement offer is completed?
If there is still an active Arizona child support order after a settlement payment, the case will continue to be reported to the credit reporting agencies. If a case is closed due to a settlement payment, the case will be reported to the reporting agencies as closed.