District of Columbia child support arrears forgiveness

ESTIMATE — based on the rules District of Columbia published, checked October 2026. Only the agency can approve a reduction, and approvals are discretionary.

What can be reduced

A portion/percentage of TANF arrears, forgiven on completing an agreement: consecutive timely payments on current support or a lump sum toward arrears. Partial credit if plan fails for unforeseen reasons (e.g. unemployment)

Who may be eligible to apply

• Parents owing TANF arrears to the District
• OCSS criteria incl. ≥$1,000 TANF arrears
• no voluntary payment in prior 12 mo
• prior unsuccessful enforcement
• valid addresses
• nonpayment not in bad faith
• interstate responding cases excluded
• CSSD must invite — but DC OAG also says a parent may apply via their case specialist

Where to apply

CSSD Enforcement Unit case specialist, (202) 724-2316; Amnesty inquiries (202) 442-9900

Confirm the program is still open before relying on it — this program runs in windows, varies by district, or is periodic.

The split still decides it

State-owed (assigned) arrears are the state's to compromise. Family-owed arrears can only be reduced by the other parent's voluntary, documented agreement — no agency can force it. Tennessee is the verified inversion: family-owed arrears are the compromisable slice there with court approval, and state-owed cannot be forgiven. If you do not know your split, the first move is a written request to the agency for the split as separate lines.

Interest and limits

Interest: no verified interest rate is published for this state on this site, so the calculator shows principal only unless you enter a rate from your own judgment or order — labeled as your figure.

What no one can do: a judge cannot erase arrears that already accrued for hardship, job loss, or incarceration when no modification was filed at the time (Bradley Amendment, 42 U.S.C. §666(a)(9)(C)). Arrears are not dischargeable in bankruptcy.

Federal lines: arrears over $2,500 can be certified for passport denial or revocation; only the state agency can request a release, and release practice is set by the state.

Run the arrears decoder for District of Columbia

Source: DC OAG, "Fresh Start Program" + "Help for Parents Ordered to Pay Support" (oag.dc.gov) — District's own pages ◆ · Rules checked October 2026.