Parents who lost their Louisiana driver’s license after falling behind on child support payments are getting a chance to get their license reinstated. That’s the word from The Louisiana Department of Children and family Services (DCFS) in a limited time offer. Child Support Enforcement Director Konitra Jack says the On the Road Again initiative allows non-custodial parents to restore their driving privileges at a lower cost. “In that program they can pay two months of their child support obligation if they have an ongoing amount that’s due.” According to a statement posted on the DCFS website, parents must also pay $100 towards any past-due amount for each case, plus any court-ordered fees.
Currently in Louisiana, parents who have not paid court-ordered child support for 90 days can have their driver’s license suspended, as well as their recreational (hunting and fishing), professional (doctors, barbers, etc.) and business licenses. Failure to pay child support when the amount surpasses $15,000 and is outstanding for at least one year face a fine of up to $2,500 and/or up to two years in jail.
As Sean Richardson with the Louisiana Radio Network reports, Jack said parents are taking part in the “On the Road Again” program. “Around 250 families have reaped the benefits of this program and been able to get their license reinstated and been able to get support to those children who need it.” Noncustodial parents, who are interested in taking part, are encouraged to make an appointment with their child support caseworker to determine the amount they must pay to qualify. A parent’s license may be suspended again if they miss any future child support payments.
For more information visit dcfs.la/otra. Custodial parents who have questions about how this promotion affects the enforcement of their case can call 1-888-LA-HELP-U (1-888-524-3578). The promotion ends October 31, 2024.
For context on the severity of unpaid child support in the state, consider that in 2020-2022, single-mother families were least likely to receive child support in Tennessee (12%) and Louisiana (13%). Louisiana retained the same percentage in the Kids Count Data Center study for the years 2021-23. By comparison, Arkansas’ rate for female-head families receiving child support in the U.S. stood at 23%, while Texas came in at 31%.
According to Reach Their Full Potential, a report from the Center for Urban Families (CFUF), in Collaboration with the Annie E. Casey Foundation, young fathers, in particular, struggle to provide child support payments. That’s largely because they are more likely to be unemployed or underemployed. There is financial assistance for fathers paying child support.
