How to collect unpaid child support in Mississippi
The agency's collection tools, what federal law adds, and a ready letter to ask for enforcement.
Checked against official sources: Oct 25, 2026.
Short answer
Arrears means child support that is past due. When a court sets (adjudicates) the amount of past-due support with interest, MDHS policy is to use 8% simple interest unless the court judgment sets a different rate; principal and interest are stated separately.
- Interest on unpaid support
- 8% a year
- License suspension
- One or more months behind in paying current support and arrears in full, failing to obey a subpoena or warrant in a paternity or support case, or a payment left unpaid 30 days after agreeing to a payment plan.
- Passport denial
- Over $2,500 past due (federal law)
What the agency can do in Mississippi
Arrears means support that is past due. The child support agency can use these tools to collect it:
- Income withholding
- Unemployment benefit withholding
- Federal and state tax refund intercept
- Credit bureau reporting (60 days unpaid)
- Workers' compensation and personal injury claim liens
- Bank account freeze and seizure
- Driver's, hunting and professional license suspension
- Passport denial ($2,500 or more owed)
- Contempt of court
Ask the agency in writing to collect what is owed: Ask the agency to collect unpaid support
Interest on unpaid support in Mississippi
When a court sets (adjudicates) the amount of past-due support with interest, MDHS policy is to use 8% simple interest unless the court judgment sets a different rate; principal and interest are stated separately.
Law: MDHS Child Support Policy Manual, Vol. VI, ch. 4
When the court steps in, in Mississippi
MDHS can take a parent who owes back support to court for contempt after trying other remedies; the court can jail the parent until a set amount is paid. You can ask MDHS to file by sending the Custodial Parent Contempt Questionnaire.
Source: Form 471
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)
License suspension in Mississippi
One or more months behind in paying current support and arrears in full, failing to obey a subpoena or warrant in a paternity or support case, or a payment left unpaid 30 days after agreeing to a payment plan.
In nearby states
Steps to collect support in Mississippi
Write down every payment
Keep a log of every payment and every missed payment.
Open a case or ask the agency
If you don't have a case yet, open one with Mississippi Department of Human Services (MDHS), Division of Child Support Enforcement (877-882-4916) · Apply online
Tell the agency about income
Leads about income or address speed up collection.
Check the balance
Request a written statement of what is owed.
Get help
Ask for free help: North Mississippi Rural Legal Services (northern 39 counties) and Mississippi Center for Legal Services.
Free help in Mississippi
Questions about unpaid support in Mississippi
How is unpaid child support collected in Mississippi?
Arrears means support that is past due. The child support agency can use these tools to collect it: Income withholding; Unemployment benefit withholding; Federal and state tax refund intercept; Credit bureau reporting (60 days unpaid); Workers' compensation and personal injury claim liens; Bank account freeze and seizure; Driver's, hunting and professional license suspension; Passport denial ($2,500 or more owed); Contempt of court.
Can unpaid support cost a driver's license in Mississippi?
One or more months behind in paying current support and arrears in full, failing to obey a subpoena or warrant in a paternity or support case, or a payment left unpaid 30 days after agreeing to a payment plan.
Can a parent go to jail for unpaid support in Mississippi?
MDHS can take a parent who owes back support to court for contempt after trying other remedies; the court can jail the parent until a set amount is paid. You can ask MDHS to file by sending the Custodial Parent Contempt Questionnaire.
Is there interest on unpaid child support in Mississippi?
When a court sets (adjudicates) the amount of past-due support with interest, MDHS policy is to use 8% simple interest unless the court judgment sets a different rate; principal and interest are stated separately.