Virginia child support arrears forgiveness

ESTIMATE — based on the rules Virginia published, checked October 2026. Only the agency can approve a reduction, and approvals are discretionary.

What can be reduced

Reduction of TANF debt in three tiers based on ability to pay (tier %s not published on the public page — must be obtained from DCSE at build)

Who may be eligible to apply

• Parents owing TANF debt under a Virginia court or administrative order

Where to apply

DCSE district office / 1-800-468-8894; VDSS FAQ tells obligors to "ask about the TANF Debt Compromise Program"

The split still decides it

State-owed (assigned) arrears are the state's to compromise. Family-owed arrears can only be reduced by the other parent's voluntary, documented agreement — no agency can force it. Tennessee is the verified inversion: family-owed arrears are the compromisable slice there with court approval, and state-owed cannot be forgiven. If you do not know your split, the first move is a written request to the agency for the split as separate lines.

Interest and limits

Interest: no verified interest rate is published for this state on this site, so the calculator shows principal only unless you enter a rate from your own judgment or order — labeled as your figure.

What no one can do: a judge cannot erase arrears that already accrued for hardship, job loss, or incarceration when no modification was filed at the time (Bradley Amendment, 42 U.S.C. §666(a)(9)(C)). Arrears are not dischargeable in bankruptcy.

Federal lines: arrears over $2,500 can be certified for passport denial or revocation; only the state agency can request a release, and release practice is set by the state.

Run the arrears decoder for Virginia

Source: VA DCSE program description via OCSS list + VDSS FAQ (dss.virginia.gov) — state's own FAQ verified ◆ · Rules checked October 2026.