How to collect unpaid child support in Connecticut

Arrears, interest and enforcement, with a letter to the agency.

Checked against official sources: Oct 25, 2026.

Short answer

Arrears means child support that is past due.

Passport denial
Over $2,500 past due (federal law)

How support is collected in Connecticut

Arrears means support that is past due. The child support agency can use these tools to collect it:

  • Income withholding
  • Federal and state tax refund intercept
  • Credit bureau reporting
  • Liens on real estate and personal property
  • Seizure of financial assets
  • Passport denial
  • Lottery winnings intercept
  • License suspension
  • Contempt of court

Law: Conn. Gen. Stat. 46b-87, 46b-220

Ask the agency in writing to collect what is owed: Ask the agency to collect unpaid support

Federal collection tools

  • Tax refunds. The federal government can take a federal tax refund to pay past-due child support. Law: 42 U.S.C. 664
  • Passports. A parent who owes more than $2,500 in past-due support can be refused a passport. Law: 42 U.S.C. 652(k)
  • Pay withholding limit. For support, up to 50% of take-home pay can be withheld if the parent supports another spouse or child, or 60% if not. It is 55% or 65% when support is more than 12 weeks behind. Law: 15 U.S.C. 1673(b)
  • Past-due support. Each unpaid payment becomes a judgment on the day it is due. It can't be lowered later, except back to the date the other parent got notice of a request to change the order. Law: 42 U.S.C. 666(a)(9)

Court action in Connecticut

SES or the parent owed support can file a Motion for Contempt (JD-FM-173); in the most serious cases a parent can be jailed.

In nearby states

Your next steps in Connecticut

  1. Keep a payment record

    Keep a log of every payment and every missed payment.

  2. Contact the agency

    If you don't have a case yet, open one with Connecticut Department of Social Services, Office of Child Support Services (OCSS) (1-800-228-KIDS (5437)) · Apply online

  3. Tell the agency about income

    Tell the agency where the other parent works or lives.

  4. Ask about interest

    Request a written statement of what is owed.

  5. Ask for free help

    Ask for free help: Statewide Legal Services of Connecticut (CTLawHelp).

Free legal help in Connecticut

Questions about unpaid support in Connecticut

How is unpaid child support collected in Connecticut?

Arrears means support that is past due. The child support agency can use these tools to collect it: Income withholding; Federal and state tax refund intercept; Credit bureau reporting; Liens on real estate and personal property; Seizure of financial assets; Passport denial; Lottery winnings intercept; License suspension; Contempt of court.

Can a parent go to jail for unpaid support in Connecticut?

SES or the parent owed support can file a Motion for Contempt (JD-FM-173); in the most serious cases a parent can be jailed.

Related Connecticut pages

Sources

Sources

Last checked: Oct 25, 2026.

Federal sources