Hamilton County Extends License Amnesty for Parents Who Owe Child Support

Hamilton County Job and Family Services will extend amnesty through the month of September to parents whose driver’s or professional licenses have been suspended for not paying child support.

The agency had offered amnesty in August to bring attention to national Child Support Month, but after reinstating a projected 300+ driver’s licenses, the agency decided to extend the popular initiative.

“This is a huge win for the children of Hamilton County who need financial support to meet their daily needs,” said Moira Weir, director of Hamilton County JFS. “If someone gets their license reinstated, it means they have paid some of their financial obligation and informed us of where they are working so we can pull out future support. That is really all we want – to make sure these children have their needs met.”

Delinquent parents who want to take advantage of this offer can have their driver’s license or professional license reinstated by paying one month of child support and reporting their employment so their wages can be garnished. Those without employment must sign an agreement to enroll in a job-readiness program. All parents will sign a license-reinstatement agreement committing them to staying on track with child support payments.

The Department’s Child Support Enforcement Agency handles about 85,000 cases a year. Last year, it collected $130 million for families that might not otherwise have had the financial support necessary to pay for such items as food, medical care, child care, school clothes and school supplies. Many of the children without child support turn to public assistance, with taxpayers providing financial support.

Hamilton County Child Support uses a variety of tools to collect child support, including intercepting tax returns, denying passports, freezing and seizing funds from bank accounts, and suspending drivers’ and professional licenses.

by Jane Prendergast

Filed Under: Child Support

Tagged: amnesty, Child Support, hamilton county department of job and family services, hamilton county job and family services, license, moira weir