Child Support Payments in D.C.

Continue reading for a better understanding of child support payments in Washington, DC.

District of Columbia Child Support Payments – Basic Information

When it comes to child support, there’s a lot to know. Child support is required when parents aren’t going to raise their minor child/children together. This can result from divorce proceedings, child custody hearings, or when one birth parent files a petition to receive child support from the other birth parent. Child support will come from both parents’ incomes.

Title IV-D of the Social Security Act of 1975 required all states and the District of Columbia to oversee and process child support payments. The Child Support Services Division (CSSD) handles all child support collection, distribution, and enforcement. They also are involved in modification requests, although parents can file for modification through District family court as well.

Child support payments use the District of Columbia child support guidelines for determining the amount of support each parent must pay. Calculating the exact amount involves a complicated formula based on the gross income of the parents and the number of children eligible for support.

Parents in the District of Columbia are required to support their children until the age of 21. This is longer than most other states. Child custody plays a part in child support payments. The parent who has physical custody of the child for the majority of the time is the custodial parent. The other parent is the noncustodial parent, although they can have physical custody of the child at times.

The amount of time each parent has custody of the children matters. The District identifies two different types of custody arrangements that apply to determine the amount of child support each parent is obligated to pay. These are:

• Sole physical custody: When one parent has physical custody of the child/children more than 65% of the overnights per year. Child support calculations should use Worksheet A – Appendix II.
• Shared physical custody: When each parent has physical custody of the child/children for at least 35% of the overnights per year. Child support calculations should use Worksheet B – Appendix III.

In most child support cases, the noncustodial parent makes payments through the CSSD to the custodial parent. The custodial parent’s child support obligation is presumed spent on the child’s everyday needs as well as contributing to health insurance premiums, reasonable child care expenses, medical expenses, and other costs.

District of Columbia Child Support Payments – Collecting Payments

If all parents were willing to meet their child support obligations, the CSSD would have no problems getting payments to the custodial parent. As you’re well aware, this isn’t the case. The CSSD does everything within its power to get payments to where they belong. While not foolproof, the system is a lifeline for thousands of children in the District.

Making Child Support Payments in the District – Wage Withholding

One way to ensure a noncustodial parent makes their child support payments is to take the choice out of their hands. Wage withholding, also known as income withholding, does just that. The parent’s employer is required to deduct child support payment amounts from that parent’s paycheck. They then send the funds to the DC Child Support Clearinghouse.

Wage withholding makes it much more difficult for a noncustodial parent to choose to ignore their child support obligation. Quitting a job without cause or making no effort to find new work will not cause a reduction in the amount of child support due. A significant and continuing material change in circumstances may require a child support modification. Parents should contact the CSSD for help.

Making Child Support Payments in the District – Other Forms of Payment

Not everyone has a job where they receive a paycheck from a business. This can include self-employed people, business owners, people who have retired, and unemployment insurance recipients. In these situations, other methods of payment are available. These include:

• By Mail to the Child Support Clearinghouse: Money orders or checks must be made payable to the “District of Columbia (DC) Child Support Clearinghouse.” An included slip should have the payor’s name, case number, and Social Security number. Depending on the sender, the payment should be mailed to one of the following:
  • Parents:
    • DC Child Support Clearinghouse
      PO Box 37715
      Washington, DC 20013-7715
  • Employers:
    • DC Child Support Clearinghouse
      PO Box 37868
      Washington, DC 20013-7868
  • Payments from other State Agencies
    • DC Child Support Clearinghouse
      PO Box 37789
      Washington, DC 20013-7789
• Online payments: Pay with a debit or credit card at the CSSD Online Child Support Payment site
• Pay by phone: Payment options are available at the CSSD’s Interactive Voice Response (IVR) system at (855) 702-2270. Either debit or credit cards are accepted
• Pay with cash at participating retailers: Use PayNearMe to pay with cash at thousands of locations such as Walmart, CVS Pharmacy, 7-Eleven, or Family Dollar stores. A $1.99 fee applies to payments made this way.

If the guideline amount of child support would take your income below the self-support reserve (poverty level line), alert the CSSD. They can explore better payment options, review your child support case to see if a modification is required, or ask the court to order a payment with a minimum of $75 per month.

District of Columbia Child Support Payments – Receiving Payments

All child support recipients will get child support payments from the CSSD. Even if your child support came through the CSSD Conciliation Process, payments are collected and distributed by the CSSD.

There are three ways custodial parents can receive their child support payments. If the noncustodial parent didn’t use an electronic means of payment, the CSSD will pay the recipient by paper checks. These can take longer than other payment methods.

The custodial parent has a choice if the child support obligation is paid by electronic means. They can select either of the following:

• Child support debit card – Payments are placed in an account and available through a debit card.
• Direct deposit – Payments are deposited into an account of the parent’s choosing.
• Paper checks – If child support payments are non-electronic submissions to CSSD, payment to the custodial parent is by paper check (Child Support Payments – OAG.dc.gov)

Parents who are receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) may forfeit some or all of their child support payments. DC law allows a $150 pass-through for the custodial parent each month.

District of Columbia Child Support Payments – Enforcement of Child Support Payments

The CSSD is tasked with the enforcement of child support payments. The needs of the child are the agency’s top priority. After a warning notice, the CSSD attempts to collect owed child support through administrative procedures. These include interception of income tax refunds, liens placed on properties, deductions from Social Security and workers’ compensation, and seizing financial assets.

In some cases, jail time is possible for the deliberate refusal to honor a court order by paying a child support obligation. This is a last resort. The goal is to get the expected funds to the child who needs them. Having a parent in prison makes this more difficult.

District of Columbia Child Support Payments – Summary

A parent’s ability to meet their child support obligation is part of the balance required for child support payments. The table below offers a recap of what you’ve learned about child support payments in the District. Links are included for further research.

Disclaimer: District of Columbia Laws change through passage of new legislation, higher court rulings that include federal decisions, ballot initiatives, and other means. While we strive to provide the most up-to-date information available, speak with a family law attorney to confirm current District law.

Child Support Payments in D.C.: Related Resources

• District of Columbia Child Support Calculations
• District of Columbia Child Support Enforcement
• District of Columbia Child Support Guidelines
• CSSD Online Child Support Guideline Calculator
• DC Courts Online Forms – Child Support
• DC Child Support Modification

Need Help With Child Support Payments in the District? An Attorney Can Help

If you’re experiencing problems either receiving or making child support payments in D.C., get a handle on your situation by contacting a legal professional. A skilled child support attorney can help you with any payment problems or other child support matters.