Child support payments should always go to children, not the state.
However, in Washington state, if a child's family receives Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and child support is paid by a non-custodial parent, the state collects and withholds their child support payments.
The Child Support Pass-Through was eliminated during the Great Recession and has since only been partially reinstated. The state currently allows $50 for one child and $100 for two or more children to be passed through.
Research indicates that child support pass-through policy leads to more non-custodial parents paying child support, because they know it will be directly supporting their child. This would increase financial stability for low-income families.
Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1652 will ensure that 100% of child support paid by a non-custodial parent will be passed through to children whose families are on TANF.
Tell your Senator to vote YES on this important bill!
