In certain child support cases, the law allows for a parent to pay less than his or her total child support debt owed to the government because their child received public assistance during a time that the parent did not pay the court ordered child support. This is called a compromise of arrears.
There are a lot of things that have to be checked before a less than full payment can be accepted. If you, or someone you want to help, are interested in the Compromise of Arrears Program (COAP) please review program eligibility list.
To talk about making an offer in compromise, please contact your local child support agency (LCSA). They will help you decide whether you want to go through the process and submit all of the information required. Once you have turned in everything to the LCSA, the LCSA will be your contact point as your offer is reviewed.
In certain circumstances, the obligor parent may qualify for Family Reunification COAP when separation or desertion of a parent results in aid being granted to the child and subsequently, the child is returned to the parent. The child must currently be living with the obligor parent whose net income is less than 250% of the federal poverty level. The compromised amount is determined by the LCSA based on the facts of the case and can be up to 100% of the past due support debt.
There is a special compromise opportunity for certain military personnel. Current reservists or members of the National Guard that have been activated to military service and deployed may receive a total compromise of any governmental arrears that accrued because their current support order was not changed to reflect the fact their pay in the military is less than their pay in the civil workforce.
For a complete copy of the COAP Policy and Procedures Manual, click here to print a copy or send a letter requesting a copy of the manual and a self-addressed standard (size 10) envelope with $2.02 postage to the COAP Section:
Department of Child Support Services
Compromise of Arrears Program Section
P.O. Box 419064, MS 240
Rancho Cordova, CA 95741-9064
Links To More COAP Information