Division of Child Support

Latest News

KIDS Line will be down for maintenance

Parents frequently use the KIDS Line at 1-800-442-KIDS (5437) to check on the status of child support payments. That service will be down for routine maintenance between 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 20. We are sorry for any inconvenience this may cause.

Division of Child  Support needs your input

If you either pay or receive child support, the Division of Child Support (DCS) wants your input.  DCS is forming a Washington State Child Support Schedule

nience this may cause.

Division of Child  Support needs your input

If you either pay or receive child support, the Division of Child Support (DCS) wants your input.  DCS is forming a Washington State Child Support Schedule Workgroup. We form a new workgroup every four years to review the existing child support schedule and make a report with recommendations to the Legislature. We are currently looking for:

• Three noncustodial parents, each of whom may be a representative of an advocacy group, an attorney, or an individual, with at least one representing the interest of low-income noncustodial parents.

• Three custodial parents, each of whom may be a representative of an advocacy group, an attorney, or an individual, with at least one representing the interest of low-income custodial parents.

Most members of the group have to be appointed by the Governor,  so if you want to apply you must  submit an Application for Gubernatorial Appointment for Board or Commission available at www.governor.wa.gov/boards/application/default.aspx.  Applications are due by Sept. 30. and the group will begin meeting in January. Members of the group will meet at least once a month during 2019 and may meet in either Eastern or Western Washington, but you may be able to attend virtually. 

You can learn more about the kind of work groups have done in the past at https://www.dshs.wa.gov/esa/division-child-support/2015-child-support-schedule-workgroup.

If you have any questions about the workgroup, please contact Nancy Koptur in DCS Headquarters at (360)664-5065 or Nancy.Koptur@dshs.wa.gov. 

Attention employers

A new law takes effect on Jan. 1, 2019 requiring most employers to remit child support electronically. To find out more, go to the Employer page of our website.

Do you have a question about child support?

Please call us at 1-800-442-KIDS (1-800-442-5437). The KIDS line is an automated system that allows you to reach your case manager quickly if you have your case number. If you do not have a case with us or don't know your case number press "0" to be connected to our staff. Full instructions for using the KIDS line can be found here.

For those who are struggling to pay child support

DCS would like to connect you to our Alternative Solutions program designed to help parents who are having trouble making payments. Program specialists work with parents who are ready to identify and work on barriers to child support. Find out more about how the program worked for one parent in this video.