Welcome to DSHS Economic Services Administration's Frequently Asked Questions!
The Income Withholding for Support tells you how much to withhold each month.
DCS offers several different payment options, so pick the one that works the best for you. Please note, effective Jan. 1, most employers or other businesses that receive an Income Withholding Order from the Division of Child Support must send payments electronically. For more information, please visit our employer page.
For more information, please review the informational letter about EFT options or call us at 1-800-468-7422.
If you would like to initiate Electronic Funds Transfer with DCS, download the following form:
Child support withholding may not exceed fifty percent (50%) of the employee's net disposable income.
"Disposable income" means gross earnings minus mandatory deductions, that is, those amounts required by law to be withheld, such as taxes.
DCS is governed by strict confidentiality rules. We have disclosed to you that your employee owes child support for the sole purpose of getting you to withhold from the employee's paycheck. We can't discuss any other details of the employee's case with you without the employee's written authorization. Click here to download a form your employee can sign giving DCS permission to share case information with you.
If DCS sends you an Order/Notice to Withhold Income for Child Support ( "OWI") for someone who never worked for you, please don't just ignore it. The OWI includes an Answer form: check box #2, "We do not employ or owe money to the parent."
No matter what your employee may tell you, do not stop withholding under an Order/Notice to Withhold Income for Child Support (OWI) until DCS releases the OWI in writing.
See the following resources:
Indian Tribes have sovereign immunity from lawsuits and garnishment actions. If you receive a child support Income Withholding notice, and you are an Indian tribe, tribally-owned enterprise, or Indian-owned business located on a reservation or trust land, contact your Tribe to determine how to respond. Some Indian tribes voluntarily honor Income Withholding notices under a cooperative agreement or an informal process with the Division of Child Support (DCS). Other Tribes have their own child support laws, policies and/or programs.
For more information, see the DCS Tribal Relations Internet Site or you may contact a DCS Tribal Liaison.