How does Washington ESD unemployment affect child support payments?

Thanks for the info. Do you know if they can take the full $680 from my unemployment or is there a limit?

They can garnish up to 50% of your unemployment benefits for child support. With your $847 weekly benefit, that would be around $423 per week maximum, but you should definitely request a modification hearing.

How long did the modification process take for you? I'm worried about falling behind while waiting.

It took about 6 weeks from filing to getting the temporary order. In the meantime, pay what you can and document everything. The court will look at your good faith effort.

Do I need a lawyer for the modification or can I do it myself?

You can file the petition yourself, but having a lawyer helps navigate the process faster. Some legal aid organizations offer free help for low-income parents.

I actually discovered this service called Claimyr that helps you get through to Washington ESD agents. Check out claimyr.com - they have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. It saved me hours of calling.

Really? That sounds too good to be true. How does it actually work?

Basically they handle the calling and waiting for you, then connect you when an agent is available. I was skeptical too but it actually worked - got through in about 20 minutes instead of calling all day.

Did you eventually get it modified? I'm hoping to avoid that kind of battle.

Yeah, but it took way longer than it should have. Start the paperwork now, don't wait. And document EVERYTHING - every phone call, every payment, every interaction.

That's really helpful advice. Should I wait until I receive my first unemployment payment to file?

No, file as soon as you receive your determination letter from Washington ESD showing your weekly benefit amount. The modification can be retroactive to when you file the petition.

This is good advice. I waited too long to file mine and it caused problems. The sooner you file, the sooner the temporary order can take effect.

Did your brother get his payments modified?

yeah but took forever and he got behind in the meantime. really messed up his credit too

So if I proactively contact DCS about the modification, they might hold off on garnishing my unemployment?

It's possible, especially if you're making good faith efforts to pay what you can. But don't count on it - file that modification petition regardless.

Try that Claimyr service someone mentioned earlier. I just signed up and they're supposed to call me back when they get through to an agent.

I'll check it out, thanks. At this point I'm willing to try anything to get answers about my claim status.

Good reminder. I'm still looking for work and doing my weekly claims. Just worried about how the child support piece will work out.

That's the right approach. Keep filing weekly and actively job searching. Document all your job search activities in case Washington ESD asks for your work search log.

That's exactly what I'm afraid of. I've been paying consistently for 3 years and don't want to mess that up.

Your payment history will help you in court. Judges do consider whether you've been making good faith efforts to pay.

Yes, unemployment benefits are considered income for child support purposes in Washington state. That's why you can petition for modification based on the reduced amount.

Thanks for clarifying. So the modification would be based on the unemployment amount, not zero income.

That's encouraging to hear. How much did your payment get reduced by?

It went from $950/month to $385/month based on my unemployment benefits. Big difference but at least it was manageable.

Yeah, I've been keeping track of my applications and interviews. Trying to get back to work as soon as possible.

Good. The sooner you find work, the sooner you can get your child support back to the normal amount and avoid ongoing issues.

Suspension is extremely rare and usually only granted in cases of total disability or incarceration. Unemployment alone typically doesn't qualify for suspension, only modification.

That's what I figured. Just wondering if it was worth trying.

Good point. I should probably start a spreadsheet to track everything.

Definitely. Organization is key when dealing with both Washington ESD and child support enforcement. Save every letter, email, and payment record.

It does feel unfair, but I understand the need to support my kid. Just wish the system was more responsive to changes in circumstances.

Yeah, don't get me wrong - kids need support. But the system should adjust faster when people lose their jobs through no fault of their own.

Several people have mentioned Claimyr now. I might give it a try if I need to talk to someone at Washington ESD about this.

It's legit. I was skeptical at first but it actually worked. Saved me from spending entire days trying to get through on the phone.

That's a good reminder. I'll keep paying what I can from my unemployment benefits while the modification is pending.

Exactly. Courts appreciate good faith efforts, and it shows you're taking your obligations seriously even during tough times.

That's really helpful advice. I was thinking I should wait until everything was finalized with Washington ESD.

No, don't wait. The modification can be effective from the date you file the petition, so the sooner you file, the better.

I definitely will. Thanks everyone for all the advice and support. This has been really helpful.

Good luck with everything. Hope you find a new job soon and can get back to your regular support payments.