[Code of Federal Regulations] [Title 45, Volume 1] [Revised as of October 1, 2006] From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access [CITE: 45CFR30.19] [Page 95] TITLE 45--PUBLIC WELFARE SUBTITLE A--DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES PART 30_CLAIMS COLLECTION--Table of Contents Subpart B_Collection of Claims Sec. 30.19 Installment payments. The Secretary may enter into a written agreement with a debtor for payment of a debt in regular installments if payment in one lump sum, either by cash or offset, will cause the debtor extreme financial hardship. The debtor must submit sufficient information to determine his or her ability to pay. A request by a debtor for installment payment will delay initiation of offset under Sec. 30.15 only if the request is in writing, is accompanied by a statement with supporting documents indicating how the proposed offset would cause extreme financial hardship and, unless an extension is granted for good cause, is received by the Secretary no later than 15 days (unless otherwise provided by statute or regulation) from the date that notice of the proposed offset was mailed to the debtor. The Secretary will consider factors such as the amount of the debt, the length of the proposed repayment period, whether the debtor is willing to sign a confess-judgment note or give collateral, past dealings with the debtor and documentation indicating that the offset will cause the debtor extreme financial hardship and that the debtor will be financially capable of adhering to the terms of the agreement. The size and frequency of the payments will reasonably relate to the size of the debt and the debtor's present and future ability to pay. Whenever feasible, the installment agreement will provide for full payment of the debt, including interest and charges, in three years or less, and include a security or confess judgment provision. The full balance, including accrued interest, charges and penalties, will be immediately due and payable if the debtor defaults on any installment made pursuant to a repayment agreement. Interest under installment agreements will be payable at the applicable rate as provided in Sec. 30.13. When a debtor owes several debts and does not designate how an installment payment should be applied as among the various debts, the payment will be applied in accordance with Sec. 30.15(f). (Approved by the Office of Management and Budget under control number 0990-0148)