Can they take child support out of unemployment benefits in Washington state?

Wow, that's a huge chunk! Is there any way to get the amount reduced if I'm struggling to pay rent?

You'd need to petition the court for a modification based on your reduced income. The garnishment happens automatically through the Division of Child Support (DCS).

Did you get any notice before they started taking it? I'm hoping to at least know when it's coming.

yeah they sent me a letter about 2 weeks after my first payment. but honestly it might have been sooner and i just missed it in all the mail

Thanks for the info! I'll check out that service. Getting through to any state agency has been a nightmare lately.

Never heard of Claimyr before but anything that helps get through these phone systems sounds useful. The hold times are ridiculous.

I understand the frustration. The key is to contact DCS as soon as possible to discuss your situation. They may be able to work out a payment plan that's more manageable.

I've been trying to call them for weeks! The phone just rings and rings or I get disconnected.

That's exactly why I mentioned Claimyr earlier. They specialize in getting through to agencies like DCS when the normal phone lines are jammed.

It typically starts within 2-3 weeks of your first payment. The agencies need time to communicate and set up the garnishment order.

mine started on my third payment, so had about 2 weeks before it kicked in

Child support is an exception to most garnishment protections. They can take it from unemployment, social security, tax refunds, pretty much anything except certain need-based benefits like food stamps.

That's crazy! But I guess it makes sense since child support is court-ordered.

I'm definitely behind, so I'm probably looking at the higher percentage. This is going to be tough.

Yeah, when you're behind they can take up to 60% of your disposable income. Unemployment benefits count as disposable income for this purpose.

How did you make it work with so little left over? I'm already worried about covering my basic expenses.

I had to get creative - food banks, utility assistance programs, and I moved in with a roommate. It's not ideal but it's temporary.

Don't forget about the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) for utility help. Saved me several times.

You can petition the court for a modification, but you need to show significant hardship. Just being on unemployment usually isn't enough - you need to demonstrate that the garnishment leaves you unable to meet basic living expenses.

Thanks for clarifying. I guess it's worth a shot if someone is really struggling.

I feel your frustration but getting angry doesn't help. Focus on what you can control - finding work and communicating with DCS about your situation.

Easy for you to say! You probably don't have half your paycheck disappearing before you even see it.

That's important to know! So I could end up with even less than I'm calculating.

Exactly. It's one of those details they don't make clear upfront. Always plan for the worst-case scenario.

Good to hear from someone who actually used it! I'm definitely going to try that service.

How much does it cost? I'm already strapped for cash.

It's pretty reasonable considering the time it saves. Much better than taking time off work to sit on hold for hours.

It stops automatically when the benefits end since there's nothing left to garnish. But if you start working again, they'll likely set up wage garnishment with your new employer.

Makes sense. Thanks for the quick answer!

Have you looked into job search assistance programs? WorkSource might have resources to help with interview expenses.

didn't know about that, i'll check it out. thanks for the tip

Good point! I hadn't thought about the tax implications. Do the garnishments count as payments made?

Yes, they count as child support payments you made, so keep track of the amounts. You should get documentation from DCS showing your payment history.

Same here! It's still going to be tough but at least I can plan for it now.

That's what this community is for - helping each other navigate this complicated system.