Fresno County Department of Child Support Services Employer Workshop Welcome

Topics The basics of Wage Withholding State Disbursement Unit 101 What? Why? How? Employer Benefits Employer Responsibilities What can you expect? Employer Do’s and Don’t’s Question and Answer session

The Basics Order / Notice to Withhold (NTW) National Medical Support Notice (NMSN) Included in all child support orders that Child Support Agencies are involved in. Mandatory that our office enforce these orders when they exist.

The Basics Timeframes 10 days to begin withholding Must send payments within 7 days of withholding. Remittance Information Name SSN Case Number / Court Order Amount withheld (for each employee if sending in one check) Date withheld Order / Notice to Withhold

The Basics Other Requirements Provide a copy of the Order to the employee. This order has priority over any other legal process (if federal tax levies exist, please contact our office) Employers may deduct a $1.50 administrative fee. Upon termination of employment, complete termination notice and return to our office. Withholding Limits Must honor all Orders to extent possible. Not to exceed 50% of disposable earnings. Order / Notice to Withhold

The Basics Timeframes Within 20 days, you must forward the Medical Support Notice to the Plan Administrator. Upon notification that the children are enrolled, begin withholding the appropriate employee contribution for that plan. National Medical Support Notice (NMSN)

State Disbursement Unit (SDU) What is it? Single location for employers and parents to send child support payments for: All orders enforced by child support enforcement agencies (IV-D) All private child support orders (Non IV-D) * Employers and Payors will begin sending payments directly to the SDU effective September 1, 2006

Why Implement a SDU? Federal Law - US Code 42 USC 654B Requires all states to establish a central location for processing child support payments, including all employer wage assignments. The law’s intent is to: Improve the accuracy of child support records; Speed payment processing; and Streamline wage assignment processing for employers. State Disbursement Unit

Here’s how it used to work before the SDU: Employer County #1County #2 County #3 Family State Disbursement Unit

Here’s how it will work now: Effective 9/1/2006 Employer County #1County #2 County #3 Family SDU State Disbursement Unit

Non IV-D (Private Wage Assignments) Definition - A Non IV-D case is one in which 1.A local child support agency is not enforcing, 2.An employer is sending wage assignment payments directly to an individual.

Non IV-D (Private Wage Assignments) Effective September 1, 2006, the SDU can begin collecting Non IV-D child support payments and disburse them to the family. Employer Family SDU

Key Employer Benefits Single point of contact for payment inquiries Reduces employer check processing cost Reduce postage costs Use of electronic payment methods When fully Implemented:

Key Employer Benefits When fully Implemented: Employers will no longer send checks to multiple child support enforcement agencies and custodial parties Multiple payments can be sent together in single check which will need to contain specific information

Key Employer Responsibilities Provide wage assignment data (FL 195) as requested Comply with instructional notices regarding redirection Prepare payroll systems for updated change of address for the SDU Identify and associate to all non IV-D payors a CCSAS case number

Key Employer Responsibilities Most Importantly - Provide accurate remittance information For Support Payments Currently Sent to a California Local Child Support Agency, provide the following: Employee’s Full Name Employee’s Social Security Number Court order / Case Number Amount withheld from each employee Date withheld For Support Payments Currently Sent to a Individuals (Non IV-D), provide the following: CCSAS (California Child Support Automation System) Case Number

Here’s how it will work now: Effective 9/1/2006 Employer County #1County #2 Non IV-D Family Family SDU State Disbursement Unit

What Can Employers Expect? Informational correspondence Non IV-D (private child support order) data gathering letters and forms requesting information Telephone calls to employers to: Assist with electronic funds transfer Verify data collected Letters with redirect (change of payment address) information and instructions

SDU Electronic Help Desk SDU will contact employers to promote the use of electronic collections methods Provide formats and assistance for electronic payment processing Contact employers about when to implement The toll free number is:

Employer Do’s and Don’t’s DO: Send payments in timely! Read and follow the instructions in SDU notices Send payments to new address only when instructed Call Electronic Help Desk if you have questions Continue to contact Local Child Support Agencies for general case management issues

Employer Do’s and Don’t’s DO: Send only payments to the SDU not correspondence All Payments – send to the SDU Fresno County Correspondence: Fresno County DCSS P.O. Box Fresno, CA

Employer Do’s and Don’t’s DON’T: Ignore the SDU notices Send non-child support garnishments Send voluntary private child support payments (not related to a wage withholding) Send correspondence, e.g. health insurance information or separation notices, etc. to the SDU – this should be sent to the LCSA or the individual

Other Contact Information Phone Numbers 1 (866) toll-free (within the U.S.) 1 (408) (outside the U.S.) 1 (866) TTY California Department of Child Support Services

Fresno County Department of Child Support Services Employer Workshop Question and Answers