Child Support Services

The Sacramento County Department of Child Support Services joined the new statewide computer system, Child Support Enforcement (CSE) on April 1, 2008. As of October 2008, all 52 local child support agencies are utilizing CSE, making the system truly statewide.

What does the new computer system mean to employers, our partners in collecting 65% of all child support payments in California? Essentially, the legal forms such as the Income Withholding Order (IWO) and National Medical Support Notice (NMSN) will not change as these forms are used across the country. However, the cover letter which gives directions for implementing the withholding of child support payments and /or health insurance coverage will appear somewhat different – but only in format. As an employer, the actions you take are still the same – give a copy of the IWO or NMSN to your employee within 10 days and start the withholding process.

Employers play a vital role in a successful child support program as 65% of all child support payments are made by wage withholding. Although the processing of Income Withholding Order (IWO) and National Medical Support Notices (NMSN) puts an extra burden on you as employers, you are helping to ensure that food, clothing, shelter, and health insurance coverage is provided for children all over the world.

The following sections should answer many of your questions about the child support program. If you have further questions, please check the Employer’s subsection of our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ). If you have a question about the meaning of a word or term, you will probably find it in the Glossary.