Federal and state law requires the department to collect over-due child support. The following methods are used :
Federal Income Tax Refund Offset
A federal income tax refund will be intercepted when a non-custodial parent owes $500 in over-due child support payments. The parent is notified of the pending intercept 30 days before the process is initiated. To challenge the pending intercept a signed request for an investigation must be sent to the local child support enforcement agency.
State Income Tax Refund Offset
A state income tax refund will be intercepted when a non-custodial parent owes $150 in over-due support payments. The parent is notified of the pending intercept before the process is initiated. To challenge the pending intercept send a signed request for an investigation to the local child support enforcement agency.
Administrative Passport Denial
Passports are subject to denial, revocation, or restriction when the past-due child support is greater than $2,500.00.
Driver’s License Suspension
Non-custodial parents who are 60 days or more out of compliance with their recent court order are referred to the Motor Vehicle Administration for driver license suspension. To be reinstated the individual must pay the over-due amount in full, make six (6) consecutive payments or provide documentation to support a claim of hardship.
Professional License Suspension Program
Delinquent child support payments are referred to the licensing authority, which can either suspend the individual’s professional or occupational license or the deny their application for license.
New Hire Reporting
All employers must report newly hired or re-hired employees within 20 days of their first day of work to a central registry. That information is compared to the child support database. When a match occurs, a wage withholding order is automatically sent to the employer.
Financial Institution Data Match (FIDM)
A database match with financial institutions is conducted to identify and garnish, if appropriate, assets of parents owing past-due child support.
Wage Withholding Orders
Wage withholding orders requires employers to withhold child support from non-custodial parent’s wages.
Credit Bureau Reporting
Delinquent accounts can be reported to a consumer credit reporting agency when they are delinquent 60 days or more.
Administrative Liens
A lien on real or personal property and seize assets for past-due support can occur.
State Lottery Intercept
Lottery winnings can be intercept past due child support when the past due amount is $150.00 or more.
Contempt
When the judge determines the non-custodial parent did not pay child support and the parent has the ability to pay their obligation, he can find the person in contempt. Civil contempt may include incarceration.
Medical Support Enforcement
Medical support may be obtained from either parent.
Unemployment Insurance
Unemployment insurance amounts for past due and current child support may be intercepted.
Workers Compensation Commission (WCC)
Workers Compensation awards may be intercepted for past due child support.
For more information, please call:
- Customer Services Information Line:
1.800.332.6347 - TTY:
1.800.925.4434 - Baltimore City Customer Service only:
410-951-8000 - Automated Customer Service and Payment Information in the Baltimore Metro Area:
410-962-1110 - Outside Baltimore Metro Area:
1-800-723-9937
