Arrow-right Camera
The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Idaho Cracking Down On Child Support Letter Threatens Delinquent Parents With License Revocation

More than 11,000 parents across the state - nearly 2,000 of them in North Idaho - will get letters this week telling them to arrange to pay their overdue child support, or else.

As of Jan. 1, parents who are 90 days or $2,000 behind in child support could lose all their state licenses, from driver’s, hunting and fishing licenses to electrical, plumbing and real estate licenses and concealed-weapon permits.

“Our idea here is mainly to get the word out,” said Ross Mason, a public information specialist with the state Department of Health and Welfare. “We want to make sure people understand this, because we don’t think most people do.”

Deadbeat parents got a letter over the summer letting them know the new law was coming, but they still owe $109 million in child support.

The second letter, to be mailed this week, gets personal. It is addressed to each parent by name and lists the amount each owes.

“We really want to work with these parents,” said Kathleen Clark, child support services manager in North Idaho. “If they just give us a call, we will be happy to work with them and work out something that will work with their budgets.”

Parents don’t need to be fully paid up to avoid license suspension. They just have to make arrangements and start paying.

License suspension also can be sought against parents who refuse to comply with court-ordered visitation arrangements for their children. But in those cases, the sanction must be sought in court by the other parent.

Clark said she’s seen many parents start paying who hadn’t paid in a long time. But no figures are available on responses to the department’s first letter.

The department is hoping for more action from the second, more direct letter.

The license-suspension law was passed by the Legislature this year as part of a package of laws aimed at reforming Idaho’s welfare system. Unpaid child support is the No. 1 reason why families receive welfare in Idaho.

, DataTimes MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: Where to call If you are behind on child support payments, you can set up payment arrangements to avoid losing your licenses. Call (800) 356-9868 or 769-1413 in Coeur d’Alene.

This sidebar appeared with the story: Where to call If you are behind on child support payments, you can set up payment arrangements to avoid losing your licenses. Call (800) 356-9868 or 769-1413 in Coeur d’Alene.