Key Takeaways:
- That aim is to aid parents in collecting and paying court-ordered child support.
- They offer legal advice, housing services, support in domestic violence situations, and even employment training.
- The Division of Child Support seeks to help families become self-sufficient in the long run.
- Washington employers collaborate with the Division of Child Support in a number of ways.
- The law requires all Washington employers to report new hires to DSHS within 20 days of their date of hire.
- Employers can withhold income, send delinquent payments directly to the DCS, and help enroll kids in health insurance.
A part of the Economic Services Administration, itself a part of the Department of Social and Health Services, the Washington Division of Child Support has a simple goal.
That goal is to help parents collect and pay court-ordered child support. They hope to “help parents contribute to brighter futures for their children” by facilitating these payments.
What Does the Washington Division Of Child Support do?
The Washington Division of Child Support provides a wide variety of services and resources. Their goal is to help custodial parents collect child support and help non-custodial parents pay.
They assist in various ways to facilitate that. These efforts include legal advice, housing services, support in situations of domestic violence, and even employment training.
On their website, you can find links to pay or receive child support on DCS cases. You can download a number of forms with topics ranging from enforcing child support to declaring unlawful custody to requesting a modification of an existing order.
There are also forms to declare your income and expenses, ones requesting similar information from the other party, and a ton of additional material.
Related Reading: Can I Modify My Support Payments?
How Do They Help Parents?
Making child support payments often proves a financial burden for many parents. And on the other side, collecting from an ex who can’t or won’t pay is also a problem. At best, it’s a headache and a nuisance.
The Division of Child Support seeks to remove any barriers, with an endgame of helping families become self-sufficient in the long run.
The Washington DCS maintains a list of useful resources for parents on both sides of these conflicts. Their web page features links to numerous state agencies, including services like childcare providers for working parents, education resources, and instruction to improve future employment and earning potential.
In addition to state agencies, the DCS also lists information for many community organizations.
Resources are available for both mothers and fathers, along with information about child welfare and contacts for regional housing authorities. Other links of interest include legal support and information to help with custody, visitation, and just about any type of legal matter.
What Do They Do For Employers?
Parents obviously play the largest role in financially supporting children, but employers also play an important part.
Washington employers collaborate with the Division of Child Support in a number of ways, helping make sure employees with maintenance obligations actually pay what they owe.
The law requires all Washington employers to report new hires to DSHS within 20 days of the hire date. This helps keep track of parents and their ability to pay outstanding child support. Additionally, employers can withhold income, send delinquent payments directly to the DCS, and help enroll kids in health insurance.
Related Reading: How Are Child Support Payments Calculated In Washington State?