New law requires electronic child-support payments from most employers

The following information is provided by the Department of Social and Health Services.

Effective January 1, 2019, as part of Substitute Senate Bill 6334, an employer or other business that receives an Income Withholding Order (IWO) from the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services, Division of Child Support (DSHS-DCS), must send payments electronically.

The new law applies to businesses that have:

Ten or more employees/ contractors that receives an IWO, or
less than ten employees if the business receives more than one IWO, or
if the business uses a payroll processing company or
if the business is required to file and pay taxes electronically to the Department of Revenue.

DCS is working hard to make this transition as easy as possible. Employers can pay online or choose from other electronic payment options. Employers are encouraged to switch to electronic payments early, and avoid a crunch as the deadline approaches. In addition, a waiver process will be available for some employers unable to implement EFT by the deadline. Employers also can call the DCS Central Services EFT unit at 800.468.7422 for assistance.

The State of Washington will provide updated information, as it becomes available, at https://www.dshs.wa.gov/esa/division-child-support