Washington ESD unemployment benefits garnished for child support - need help understanding this
Just received my first unemployment payment from Washington ESD and noticed a huge chunk was missing. Called the automated line and found out child support took $400 out of my $580 weekly benefit. I'm barely surviving as it is and didn't know they could do this. Is there any way to reduce the garnishment amount or get an exemption? I can't afford rent with what's left. Has anyone dealt with this before?
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Sean Kelly
Yes unfortunately child support garnishment on unemployment benefits is automatic in Washington state. The Division of Child Support (DCS) can take up to 50% of your UI benefits. You'll need to contact DCS directly to request a modification if you're experiencing financial hardship.
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Anastasia Kozlov
•50%?? That seems crazy high when I'm already unemployed. Do you know what number I call for DCS?
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Sean Kelly
•The main DCS number is 1-800-457-6202. Be prepared for long wait times though. You can also try their online portal at https://www.dshs.wa.gov/esa/division-child-support
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Zara Mirza
this happened to me too when i got laid off last year. they took almost half my unemployment and i couldnt make my car payment. tried calling dcs for weeks but could never get through
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Anastasia Kozlov
•Did you ever get it resolved? I'm worried I'll lose my apartment if this keeps up.
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Zara Mirza
•eventually yeah but it took like 2 months. had to fill out hardship paperwork and prove my expenses
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Luca Russo
I had this exact problem when I was on unemployment in 2023. Spent weeks trying to reach DCS by phone with no luck. Finally found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helped me get through to an actual person at DCS. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ showing how it works. Within 3 days I was able to speak with someone and get my garnishment reduced from $450 to $200 per week.
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Anastasia Kozlov
•Really? How does that work exactly? I've never heard of that service before.
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Luca Russo
•They basically call the agency for you and get you connected to a live person. Saved me hours of being on hold and getting disconnected. Worth checking out if you're stuck in phone hell like I was.
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Nia Harris
•Interesting, I might need to try that. Been trying to reach DCS for my own garnishment issue for 3 weeks now.
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GalaxyGazer
Wait, they can really take HALF your unemployment?? That's insane! What if you have other bills to pay? This system is so messed up.
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Sean Kelly
•It's federal law unfortunately. Child support has priority over most other debts, even when you're unemployed. The theory is that the children's needs come first.
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GalaxyGazer
•I get that kids need support but if the parent ends up homeless they can't help anyone. There should be some minimum amount they can't touch.
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Mateo Sanchez
•There actually is - they can't take everything. But 50% is the legal limit for child support garnishment on unemployment benefits.
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Aisha Mahmood
You need to file a motion to modify your child support order based on your reduced income. The court won't automatically adjust it just because you're on unemployment. Document all your current expenses and show that the current garnishment creates an undue hardship.
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Anastasia Kozlov
•Do I need a lawyer for that? I can barely afford groceries right now, let alone legal fees.
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Aisha Mahmood
•You can file pro se (represent yourself). The court clerk can provide the forms. It's called a Petition to Modify Child Support. There's usually a filing fee but you can request a fee waiver if you qualify.
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Ethan Moore
Been there done that. Filed for hardship exemption with DCS and it took 6 weeks to get approved. Had to provide bank statements, rent receipts, utility bills, grocery receipts, everything. But they did reduce my garnishment from 50% to 25%.
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Anastasia Kozlov
•That's encouraging at least. What specific documents did you need? I want to make sure I have everything ready.
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Ethan Moore
•3 months of bank statements, lease agreement, all utility bills, proof of other debts, food expenses, medical bills if you have any. They want to see your complete financial picture.
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Yuki Kobayashi
•Did you have to do this online or mail everything in?
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Ethan Moore
•I mailed everything with certified mail so I had proof they received it. Online portal was down half the time I tried to use it.
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Carmen Vega
This is exactly why I always tell people to make sure they understand ALL the deductions before they file for unemployment. Child support, taxes, overpayments from previous claims - it all comes out automatically.
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Anastasia Kozlov
•Nobody told me this when I filed my claim with Washington ESD. Would have been nice to know upfront.
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Carmen Vega
•Washington ESD is required to notify you about potential garnishments, but it's usually buried in the fine print or mentioned briefly during the application process.
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QuantumQuester
ugh this is bringing back memories of my own nightmare with child support garnishment. spent months eating ramen noodles because they took so much of my unemployment. finally got it sorted but it was brutal
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Anastasia Kozlov
•How did you finally get it sorted? I'm desperate for any advice right now.
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QuantumQuester
•combination of filing hardship paperwork with DCS and getting my support order modified through the court. took forever but my payment went down significantly
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Andre Moreau
Pro tip: Keep detailed records of everything. Every phone call, every form you submit, every email. The system moves slowly and things get lost. Having documentation saved my butt when they claimed they never received my hardship application.
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Anastasia Kozlov
•Good point. I'll start keeping a log of everything from now on.
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Zoe Stavros
•Yes! And always get confirmation numbers when you submit anything online or over the phone.
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Jamal Harris
I tried that Claimyr thing someone mentioned earlier and it actually worked! Got connected to DCS within 20 minutes instead of waiting hours on hold. They were able to explain the hardship exemption process and sent me the forms by email same day.
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Anastasia Kozlov
•That's the second person who mentioned them. Maybe I should give it a try if I can't get through on my own.
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Jamal Harris
•Definitely worth it if you're stuck. Saved me so much time and frustration dealing with their phone system.
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Mei Chen
Wait can they garnish your unemployment even if you're actively looking for work and doing your weekly claims? That seems counterproductive to helping people get back on their feet.
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Sean Kelly
•Yes, garnishment continues regardless of your job search activities. Child support obligations don't pause just because you're unemployed and looking for work.
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Mei Chen
•That's crazy. How are people supposed to afford gas to drive to interviews or buy interview clothes?
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Liam Sullivan
Been fighting this for 8 months. My ex refuses to agree to any modification even though I've been unemployed since March. The whole system is designed to squeeze blood from a stone.
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Anastasia Kozlov
•8 months?? That's terrifying. Have you tried going through the court instead of trying to get your ex to agree?
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Liam Sullivan
•Yeah I filed a motion to modify in court. Hearing is next month finally. Should have done it sooner instead of trying to work it out with her directly.
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Amara Okafor
Does anyone know if they can garnish the extra $300 federal unemployment bonus too? Or just the regular state benefits?
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Sean Kelly
•There's no $300 federal bonus anymore - that ended in 2021. But yes, when those programs existed, child support could be garnished from federal supplements too.
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Amara Okafor
•Oh right, I was thinking of the pandemic stuff. Good to know though.
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CosmicCommander
The key thing is to act fast. Don't wait months like I did hoping it would sort itself out. File the hardship paperwork immediately and consider getting your support order modified if your income has changed significantly.
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Anastasia Kozlov
•You're right. I was hoping maybe it was just a mistake but sounds like I need to get moving on this ASAP.
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CosmicCommander
•Exactly. The longer you wait, the more back payments you'll owe and the harder it gets to catch up.
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Giovanni Colombo
One more thing - make sure you're still filing your weekly claims with Washington ESD even if most of the money is going to child support. If you stop claiming, you'll lose benefits entirely and then you'll have zero income instead of partial income.
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Anastasia Kozlov
•Good point. I was so frustrated I almost stopped filing but that would just make things worse.
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Giovanni Colombo
•Exactly. Keep following all the requirements - job search, weekly claims, everything. Don't let frustration with garnishment mess up your actual benefits.
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Fatima Al-Qasimi
Try calling DCS early in the morning right when they open. I finally got through at 8:02 AM after weeks of trying. Sometimes timing is everything with these government phone systems.
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Anastasia Kozlov
•I'll try that tomorrow morning. What time do they open exactly?
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Fatima Al-Qasimi
•8 AM Pacific time Monday through Friday. Have all your case information ready because they'll want your case number, SSN, and other details right away.
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