Case management services

Monitoring & enforcing child support orders

Federal Enforcement Actions

The Wisconsin Child Support Program reports the amount of unpaid support for its cases to federal offices. When a parent does not pay his or her child support, that parent cannot receive certain services from the federal government. These actions are taken without a court hearing.

Loans & grants

When the past-due amounts reach a certain level, the parent will not be able to receive some college grants or small business loans. A payment plan may help the parent get the loan or grant.

Passports

The U.S. State Department will not issue or renew a passport if the support debt certified by tax intercept reaches $2,500 or more. The debt includes all unpaid support, fees, costs, and interest.

If a parent was ever certified for tax refund intercept with a debt of $2,500 or more and has not paid the debt in full, the State Department will not issue or renew the parent’s passport.

Example:

• A few years ago, a parent received a letter telling the parent that he or she was certified for tax intercept. The letter stated that the parent owed $6,000.
• The parent began to pay on the debt, but still owes $2,000.
• Because the parent did not pay off the entire $6,000, the State Department will deny the passport request.

If the State Department denies your passport, contact your local child support agency. With very few exceptions, you will be expected to pay the full amount owed before your passport will be granted or renewed. The exceptions are:

1. A mistake in identity or mistake of fact - you are not the person certified for tax intercept or you do not owe past-due support.
2. A matter of life or death involving someone in your immediate family. Examples are imminent death or funeral, serious illness, or dangerous operation. Your immediate family includes a parent, guardian, or step-parent; child (natural or adopted), step-child; grandparent, sibling or step-sibling; aunt, uncle, or spouse. You must give the child support agency a letter from a doctor or the Red Cross to verify the life or death matter.

Payments must be made by a money order or a cashier's check. If you are not able to pay the debt in full, contact your child support agency.

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