The Santa Clara County Department of Child Support Services
(DCSS) is offering parents who are delinquent in their child
support payments an opportunity to buy back their drivers’
licenses.
The Santa Clara County Department of Child Support Services (DCSS) is offering parents who are delinquent in their child support payments an opportunity to buy back their drivers’ licenses.
The offer, which will be in effect until Friday, Jan. 17, allows parents to pay one month’s child support, one month’s arrears installment payment and $15. Parents must also agree to wage withholding or a specific payment plan. Typically, reinstatement costs three months in child support, three months in arrears installment payments and $15, in addition to income withholding or a payment plan.
“What we are hoping to do with this offer is help parents re-enter the lives of their children in a meaningful and supportive way, especially during the holidays,” said Pete Dever, director of the county’s new Department of Child Support Services. “The buyback is a goodwill gesture to allow parents who owe child support to get on board with a payment plan before we’re forced to take more serious enforcement action.”
Currently, there are about 12,500 parents in Santa Clara County whose drivers’ licenses are suspended due to the nonpayment of child support.
These parents represent more than $3 million a month in ongoing child support, and much more in arrears payments. As part of its Driver’s License Buyback Offer, DCSS has also initiated a direct mail campaign to all parents owing child support to their agency. The notices are in English, Spanish and Vietnamese.
“We also realize that not having a driver’s license can make it difficult to find and maintain employment, particularly given the current Silicon Valley economy and our rising unemployment,” remarked Dever. “We want to do all we can to help those willing to pay child support be in a position to do so and start the new year on the right foot.”
The Department of Child Support Services has relocated its offices to 2851 Junction Ave., San Jose. DCSS’s new phone number is 503-5200. This move will consolidate its two office locations on Zanker Road and Devcon Drive.
For more information, please call 503-5204 for a prerecorded message and an opportunity to leave a voicemail request for an appointment. Walk-ins at the new Junction office are welcome.
