How to collect unpaid child support in Pennsylvania
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. No active income withholding and overdue support of 3 or more times the monthly support amount, or not obeying subpoenas or warrants in a support or paternity case.
- License suspension
- No active income withholding and overdue support of 3 or more times the monthly support amount, or not obeying subpoenas or warrants in a support or paternity case.
- Passport denial
- Over $2,500 past due (federal law)
Collection tools in Pennsylvania
Arrears means support that is past due. The child support agency can use these tools to collect it:
- Income withholding (50% to 65% maximum)
- Civil contempt
- Seizing bank accounts
- Seizing personal injury and workers' compensation awards
- Federal and state tax refund intercept
- Driver's, professional, occupational and recreational license suspension
- Passport denial (arrears over $2,500)
- Liens on real property
- Pennsylvania Lottery winnings over $2,500 intercepted
- Credit bureau reporting
- Publishing names of delinquent parents
Law: 23 Pa.C.S. 4345, 4348, 4355
Ask the agency in writing to collect what is owed: Ask the agency to collect unpaid support
Court action in Pennsylvania
Willfully not obeying a support order can be punished by jail up to 6 months, a fine up to $1,000, or probation up to 1 year (23 Pa.C.S. 4345). Missing a required court appearance has separate, smaller penalties (23 Pa.C.S. 4344).
What federal law adds
- 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)
Licenses in Pennsylvania
No active income withholding and overdue support of 3 or more times the monthly support amount, or not obeying subpoenas or warrants in a support or paternity case
In nearby states
- New Jersey: No interest
- New York: 9% a year
- West Virginia: 5% a year
- Rhode Island: 12% a year
What to do now in Pennsylvania
Keep a payment record
Keep a log of every payment and every missed payment.
Contact the agency
Contact Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, Bureau of Child Support Enforcement (1-800-932-0211) · Apply online
Tell the agency about income
Leads about income or address speed up collection.
Ask about interest
Ask the agency for the total owed, with any interest.
Ask for free help
Legal aid can help for free: Pennsylvania Bar Association - Find a Lawyer.
Where to get free help in Pennsylvania
Questions about unpaid support in Pennsylvania
What can the agency do about unpaid support in Pennsylvania?
Arrears means support that is past due. The child support agency can use these tools to collect it: Income withholding (50% to 65% maximum); Civil contempt; Seizing bank accounts; Seizing personal injury and workers' compensation awards; Federal and state tax refund intercept; Driver's, professional, occupational and recreational license suspension; Passport denial (arrears over $2,500); Liens on real property; Pennsylvania Lottery winnings over $2,500 intercepted; Credit bureau reporting; Publishing names of delinquent parents.
When can Pennsylvania suspend a license for support?
No active income withholding and overdue support of 3 or more times the monthly support amount, or not obeying subpoenas or warrants in a support or paternity case
What can a court do about unpaid support in Pennsylvania?
Willfully not obeying a support order can be punished by jail up to 6 months, a fine up to $1,000, or probation up to 1 year (23 Pa.C.S. 4345). Missing a required court appearance has separate, smaller penalties (23 Pa.C.S. 4344).