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Child Support Debt Reduction Program
AB 1449, Family Code Section 3901
The Debt Reduction Program provides eligible parents with past-due child support payments the opportunity to reduce the amount they owe to the government. This debt, called “arrears,” is owed to the government if a child received public assistance (such as CalWORKs, Foster Care or Kin-GAP) while the parent(s) was not paying court-ordered child support. The LCSA may compromise assigned child support arrearages and interest owed for reimbursement of certain public assistance payments paid for a child. The “Child Support Debt Reduction Program” brochure (PUB 310) is available in English and Spanish and is available in the DEBS Forms Library. This brochure should be provided to parents who have been referred to child support for collection.
To apply for the Debt Reduction Program, the parent(s) may:
- Visit the LCSA office and complete an application, or
- Contact LCSA via Zoom (Visit Us - Department of Child Support Services - County of Santa Clara (sccgov.org), or
- Call (408) 503-5347 to have an application mailed to their home.
Contact information for LCSA is below:
Santa Clara County Department Of Child Support Services
333 W. Julian Street
San Jose, CA 95110
1-866-901-3212 or (408) 503-5347
https://dcss.sccgov.org/home
LCSA Final Approval
The LCSA determines whether the parent is eligible for debt reduction. This includes a consultation with the Department of Family and Children's Services (DFCS). When a parent requests debt reduction, the LCSA contacts DFCS through an identified liaison at the Department who reviews the case and notifies the LCSA of the outcome of reunification services. The parent(s) will be notified by DCSS if the compromise is approved.
Foster Care Eligibility Worker Responsibilities
FC EWs or clerical staff receiving phone calls from clients, pertaining to child support compromises, should refer the caller to the LCSA office at 1-866-901-3212.
When the worker becomes aware that an applicant or recipient has reunited with their child(ren) and the child received aid in the form of CalWORKs, Foster Care, or Kin-GAP, the worker must inform the client of the Debt Reduction Program by sending the PUB 310 brochure. FC EWs may refer potentially eligible recipients to the DCSS office at 1-866-901-3212.
Child Support Referrals
This does not change the Child Support referral process. EWs must continue to complete the:
- “Referral to Local Child Support Agency (LCSA)” (CW 371)
- “Notice and Agreement Child/Spousal and Medical Support” (CW 2.1), and
- “Support Questionnaire” (CW 2.1Q).
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