DCSS uses other collection tools besides wage assignments, including:

Suspending licenses: Permanent, state-issued licenses can be suspended or withheld to collect past due support. This includes professional, business, and driver’s licenses. If you receive a license suspension notice in the mail, you need to contact the DCSS immediately to see what arrangements might be made to get your license back; this will often require payment of some or all of the your past due support.

Placing liens on property: When the property is sold, past due support may be taken.

Intercepting state and federal tax refunds: we ask that the Internal Revenue Service and the California Franchise Tax Board (FTB) intercept state and federal tax refunds to pay past due support. The law requires that DCSS submit for intercept any arrears (back child support not paid) plus interest. The minimum amount for the FTB is $100. The minimum amount for the IRS is $150 for welfare arrears and $500 for non-welfare arrears. DCSS submits accounts in early August and reports changes each month.

If your tax refund is intercepted and you have paid in full the back support due, mail DCSS a copy of the intercept notice, and we will refund your money.

We also intercept disability insurance benefits, unemployment insurance benefits, lottery winnings, and lump sum workers’ compensation awards.

Alerting the Franchise Tax Board: Anytime a person is more than $100 and 60 days past due in paying support, FTB is empowered to collect back support. It can issue wage assignments, take real and personal property, and take funds from bank accounts, rental incomes, royalties, dividends and commissions.

Seeking contempt citations in court and sometimes filing criminal complaints: We take these actions when a noncustodial parent who can pay willfully refuses to pay court-ordered child support.