Child Support Schedule Workgroup

Child Support Schedule Workgroup

Every four years, the state is required under federal and state law as well as our state’s child support plan to review our child support guidelines. The Washington State Child Support Schedule Workgroup makes this happen. It also provides the opportunity for stakeholders and the family law community to evaluate, improve and reform current child support guidelines. You can view a brief history of the Child Support Schedule Workgroup recommendations to the Legislature here. The next workgroup will convene in 2027 and is accepting applications to join through Sept. 30, 2026.

2027 Child Support Schedule Workgroup

The next workgroup will convene in 2027 and is accepting applications to join through Sept. 30, 2026.

Past Workgroup Reports to the Legislature

If you would like to review the workgroup materials for any year below, please contact DCS at SupportSchedule@dshs.wa.gov.

About the Child Support Schedule Workgroup

Who is on the Child Support Schedule Workgroup?

The workgroup includes:

  • Policy experts
  • Judicial branch representative
  • A Tribal representative
  • An economist
  • Legal aid attorneys
  • Members of the Legislature
  • Parents with direct experience in the child support system who are paying or receiving child support

The DCS director chairs the workgroup. You can view a list of the required members in RCW 26.19.025(1).

How can I apply to be on a future workgroup?

The governor appoints most of the workgroup members, except for the legislative members. To apply, visit the governor’s website.

Why do you review the child support guidelines?

To maintain its federal funding, each state with a child support program under Title IV-D of the Social Security Act must establish one set of statewide guidelines for setting and modifying child support award amounts.

In Washington state, our child support guidelines were developed and codified as the Washington State Child Support Schedule under chapter 26.19 RCW.

Federal regulations provide specific instructions for states to develop their child support guidelines. At a minimum, a state's guidelines must do the following:

  • Take into consideration all earnings and income of the noncustodial parent
  • Be based on specific descriptive and numeric criteria and result in a computation of the support obligation
  • Provide for the child's or children's healthcare needs, through health insurance coverage or other means

Once established, the state must conduct a review of the guidelines at least every four years to ensure they still result in "appropriate child support award amounts." If they don't, federal law requires the state to revise its child support guidelines.

Why does DCS maintain the workgroup’s webpage?

RCW 26.19.025(3) requires DCS to provide employee support to the workgroup. To provide workgroup progress updates and information, DCS maintains this webpage, a broadcast listserv and a dedicated email box. 

How can I stay informed?

You can subscribe to receive updates about the workgroup and meeting materials.

If you have questions, please contact the workgroup at SupportSchedule@dshs.wa.gov.

Note: Emails are subject to public disclosure. Please review the DSHS internet privacy policy before sending an email to the workgroup. Email with comments or feedback will be forwarded to workgroup members and compiled in monthly bulletins for subscribers. We will remove any personal information unless otherwise requested.

For specific case-related issues, please call the KIDS Line at 800-442-KIDS.