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1. What guideline type or method does your state use to calculate child support (for example, Income Shares Model, Percentage of Income Model, Melson Formula)? |
Virginia observes the Income Shares Model.
For Additional Information - No Link Provided
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2. What is the minimum number of days with each parent that can be considered in your guideline’s formula, and what evidence is required (for example, court-order custody schedule, parenting plan, or verbal testimony)? |
A parent must have a child(ren) in their custody for more than 90 days of the year. Required evidence may include verbal testimony when both parents are in agreement, parenting plan, court-order custody visitation when determining the shared custody days. Child support guidelines are calculated using the shared custody support amount based on the ratio that the parents share as defined in § 20-108.2. Guideline for determination of child support.
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3. Does your state have any statute(s) addressing interest on arrears? If yes, indicate the amount of interest charged, any related conditions, and the statutory citation. |
Yes, interest charges at 6%.
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4. Does your state’s IV-D agency calculate interest on arrears? If yes, indicate the amount of interest charged and any related conditions. |
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Yes, interest is calculated. Interest charges at 6% as of July 1, 2004. |
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5. Does your state charge interest on retroactive support? If yes, indicate the amount of interest charged and any related conditions. |
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Yes, interest charges at 6%. |
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6. Will your state enforce a medical debt for any uninsured portion? If yes, under what circumstances? |
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Yes, the medical debt for the uninsured portion amount must specified in a court order. |
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7. If your state has issued an order, and another IV-D agency asserts that the person/entity entitled to receive child support payments has changed from the person/entity designated in your state’s order (due to a change in placement or foster care status), what does your state require in order to change the person/entity entitled to receive payments? |
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When there is a change in custody/care of a child(ren) under an existing Virginia court order, payments for that child(ren) can be redirected to a different caregiver while court action is initiated to have the order changed for the new payee. When there is an administrative support order (ASO) for support in place, payments are not redirected, a new ASO is established payable to the new person or entity entitled to receive support for the child.
63.2-1903 Code of Virginia |
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7.1 Does it matter if the child receives TANF or Medicaid-only? If yes, explain. |
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Yes. Under a Virginia order, payments can be redirected to a different caregiver under a Virginia court order. When this occurs, Virginia will initiate court actions to change the current Virginia order payable to the new caregiver. When there is an administrative support order (ASO) for support in place, payments are not redirected, a new ASO is established payable to the new person or entity entitled to receive support for the child.
63.2-1903 Code of Virginia |
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8. Does your state require that a custodial party, who is not one of the biological parents, have legal custody of a child before enforcing an order for support that was issued to the biological parents as the parties for non-public assistance cases? |
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No |
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9. Does your state IV-D agency grant the noncustodial parent credit toward child support for Social Security Administration (SSA) auxiliary benefits paid to the custodial parent on behalf of a child when those benefits are based on the noncustodial parent’s SSA benefit? |
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Yes, when a custodial parent receives SSA auxiliary benefits on behalf of the noncustodial parent, credit is given in the guideline’s calculation to the noncustodial parent. |
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9.1 If a child’s auxiliary SSA benefit paid to the custodial parent is greater than the current child support obligation, do you credit the excess amount against arrearages, and if so, how? |
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No, auxiliary SSA benefits paid to the custodial parent that are greater than the child support obligation is not credited to the arrearages. If/when arrearages are owed, an arrears payment amount is ordered toward the arrearages. If there is an excessive amount of SSA benefits paid directly to the custodial parent in some cases, a court may order that the noncustodial parent be given credit for those payments and the arrearages are reduced by that amount. The Division does not give credit for payments paid directly to custodial parent to reduce any arrearages. |
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10. Does your state abate support? If yes, explain the circumstances and provide your statutory citation. |
Yes. The court uses its authority to abate/change the support. Section #14 of 20-60.3 Contents of support orders defines this.
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11. If a child’s family benefit paid directly to the custodial parent is greater than the child support order, how do you credit the excess amount of current support? (That is, is it treated as a gift, paid to arrears accrued at any time, or treated as payment for a future period?) |
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When there is an excess of family benefits paid directly to the custodial parent greater than the child support order, the current support can be modified at the request of a party. If the benefits exceed the support order amount in guideline for determination of child support the child support order maybe zero. The noncustodial parent can/may be given credit for the excess of payments by a court. The Division does not automatically give credit for excess of payments paid directly to the custodial parent. |
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12. If the case is an intergovernmental case, what is your process for notification and reconciliation of the SSA payments with the other state? |
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The partnering state agency will be notified via Transmittal #2 or electronic means (if available). Reconciliation of the SSA payments with the other state will be determined on a case-by-case basis. |
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13. Does your state close cases when the noncustodial parent receives SSI only or when the noncustodial parent receives SSI and Title II benefits? |
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Cases where the noncustodial parent receives SSI only or when the noncustodial parent receives SSI and Title II benefits are reviewed for either modification and / or closure as appropriate. |
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14. Does your state child support agency have a debt compromise program? |
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Yes. § 63.2-1908.1. Arrears compromise program.
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15. When a child reaches the age of majority or otherwise emancipates and arrears are owed on the order, how does your state determine the payment rate on arrears? (For example, is collection enforced at the support amount plus arrears amount?) |
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For Virginia support orders:
* Arrears collection is enforced at the rate of current support plus arrears payment amount from the most recent order.
* When the most recent current support order does not specify an arrears payment amount, arrears collection is enforced at the rate of the most recent current support order
* When a court ordered arrears payment order is entered after the child reaches age or majority or otherwise emancipates, arrears collection is enforced at the rate of the court ordered arrears amount.
*When enforcing another states’ order, arrears collection is enforced at the rate of the ordered arrears payment amount. If there is no ordered arrears payment, arrears collection is enforced at the rate of 25% of the former current support amount of $65.00, whichever is greater.
§ 20-60.3. Contents of support orders
§ 63.2-1924. Withholding from income; default of administrative or judicial support order; notices required; priorities; orders from other states.
§ 63.2-1926. Withholding pursuant to foreign support order.
22VAC40-880-290. Determining the amount to be applied toward past due support.
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16. When there is an existing support order between the parents of a child and the child’s residence changes from one parent to the other, does your state require that the new custodial parent obtain legal custody before child support is addressed? Please describe. |
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No. Once a change in physical custody has been confirmed, the Division moves forward with action to modify or terminate the existing order and establishing a support order payable to the new custodial parent.
§ 63.2-1903
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1. Does your state law require custody and visitation to be addressed at the time of paternity/parentage establishment? If yes, please describe and provide the statutory citation. |
No.
For Additional Information - No Link Provided
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2. How is genetic testing coordinated within your state when the other party is in another state? |
The Division determines whether long arm jurisdiction is available or appropriate to coordinate genetic testing when a party is out of state.
Viriginia coordinates genetic testing with LabCorp at a facility closest to the party’s address when the long arm process is successful. If/when long arm is not appropriate or not successful, assistance is requested from the IV-d agency in the state or country where the other party lives.
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3. What is the percentage of probability for genetic testing that creates a rebuttable or conclusive presumption of paternity? |
Ninety-eight percent
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4. What is the state law citation that makes paternity acknowledgment conclusive? Please describe (if appropriate). |
§ § 20-49.1, 63.2-1913 and 63.2-1914 Code of Virginia.
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5. Does marriage constitute a rebuttable presumption of paternity/parentage without exceptions? Please describe and provide your statutory citation. |
Yes.
However, the legal father may petition for adjudication of paternity if he can present reasonable doubt that he is the biological father
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6. Does the father’s name on the birth certificate constitute a conclusive presumption of paternity? Please provide your state citation. If no, please describe. |
Yes. § 32.1-257 Code of Virginia.
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7.Does your state have any other paternity/parentage-related presumptions? If yes, please describe. |
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No. |
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8. What, if any, is the agency name and link for your state’s putative fathers’ registry? |
The Virginia Birth Father Registry
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9.What documents regarding paternity can your state’s IV-D agency provide to other IV-D agencies? Are there any charges to the requesting IV-D agencies? |
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Acknowledgments of Paternity (AOP) are sealed and can only be released by OVR upon the Order of a court or upon a request from Virginia's Division of Child Support Enforcement (DCSE). IV-D agencies may send a UIFSA request to Virginia DCSE as follows: *Transmittal #3 (which must include the names, social security numbers, and dates of births for the mother, father, and children). The requesting state should choose selection #8 on the form and indicate the information that is needed. The Office of Vital Records (OVR) charges $12 each for a birth certificate and for an AOP.
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10. Does your state’s bureau of vital statistics charge any fees to other states or private individuals for requesting searches, paternity/parentage documents, and data? |
Birth records can be obtained by the appropriate parties (father, mother, person of record) from the Office of Vital Records (OVR) at 2001 Maywill Street, Richmond, Virginia 23230 for a fee of $12. They can be reached at (804) 662-6200.
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10.1 Describe any circumstances under which these fees may be waived? |
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N/A |
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11. Is common-law marriage currently recognized in your state? If yes, describe the standard that defines common-law marriage and the date the standard went into effect. |
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No. |
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12. If there was a prior common-law standard in your state that is no longer in effect, what were the dates that standard was in effect? Describe the standard. |
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N/A |
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13. If there is more than one child with the same custodial party and the same alleged father, should an initiating jurisdiction send one intergovernmental packet to your state (with a separate Declaration in Support of Establishing Parentage forms for each child) or a separate intergovernmental packet for each child? |
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Yes, the initiating jurisdiction may send one intergovernmental packet to your state (with a separate Declaration in Support of Establishing Parentage forms for each child). |
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1. Does your state use an administrative, judicial, or a combined process to establish a support obligation? |
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The Division uses administrative processes to establish a support obligation. The judicial process is used only when administrative methods are unsuccessful or an exception to the administrative process exists (e.g. minor father). |
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1.1 If your state can establish both administratively and judicially, under what circumstances would your state use the administrative process? Please provide the statutory citation for your state's administrative procedures. |
The Division uses administrative processes to establish a support obligation. The judicial process is used only when administrative methods are unsuccessful or an exception to the administrative process exists (e.g. minor father).
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1.2. Under what circumstances would your state use the judicial process? Please provide the statutory citation for your state's judicial procedures. |
Minor father and if administrative methods are unsuccessful.
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2. When setting support using your state's guidelines, whose income is considered in addition to the noncustodial parent's (for example, custodial parent, spouse, child)? |
In addition to the noncustodial parent's income, DCSE uses income from the other legal parent (mother or father). DCSE does not use income from a third party custodian.
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2.1. What documentation is required as proof/evidence of this information? |
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Financial information, such as paystubs, NDNH quarterly earnings information, employer records and similar information is used. |
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3. What criteria for rebutting your presumptive guidelines have been established in your state? |
20-108.1 and 63.2-1918 of the Code of Virginia contain the provisions for rebutting presumptive guidelines
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4. Will your state establish support orders for prior periods of support? If yes, please describe (for example, from the birth of the child, from date of separation, prenatal expenses, five years retroactive). |
Yes, but only for receipt of public assistance.
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4.1. What information or documentation does your state require to proceed with establishing support for prior periods? |
Financial information, such as paystubs, NDNH quarterly earnings information, employer records and similar information for the period being assessed is acceptable. If the NCP received TANF, SSI or a combination of SSI/SSDI or SSI/SSR or was incarcerated during any time when the prior period support is sought, this information is also required.
The monthly amount of public assistance paid is required to establish support for prior periods as Virginia will not order public assistance reimbursement greater than the amount expended.
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4.2. Will your state allow a petition for support for a minor child when the only issue is retroactive support? |
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Yes. |
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4.3. If there are limitations upon your state's ability to establish support for prior periods, specify those limitations. |
Virginia does not establish support for prior periods except for the repayment of public assistance debt.
No public assistance debt is established for periods prior to the putative father being determined to be the legal father.
No public assistance debt is established for periods when the NCP received public assistance; SSI or combination SSI/SSDI, SSI/SSR; or had no verified identifiable assets and was institutionalized, incarcerated or medically verified to be totally and permanently disabled.
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5. Does your state require that a custodial party, who is not a biological parent, have legal custody of a child before establishing an order for support when public assistance is being expended? |
No.
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5.1. What about when public assistance is not being expended? |
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No. |
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6. When your state has issued an order that reserves support, and now child support should be ordered, does your state require establishment or modification? |
It depends on the wording of the order and jurisdiction (circuit court or juvenile court), but in most instances, it would be order establishment.
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7. When there is an existing support order between the parents of a child and the child's residence changes from one parent to the other, does your state require that the new custodial parent obtain legal custody before child support is addressed? Please describe. |
No. Upon application for Division services or a IV-A referral, the Division would proceed to establish support for the new custodial parent.
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1. What are specific sources of income not subject to withholding? |
SSI, a combination of SSI and SSDI, a combination of SSI and SSR, Veteran Administration benefits that are based on credit for disability, public assistance payments, child support payments, amounts that exceed the Consumer Credit Protection (CCPA) limits, federal student loans and grants, including work study assistance, any other funds exempt from withholding by federal and state law.
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2. Does your state law adopt the federal Consumer Credit Protection Act (CCPA) income withholding limits? Please provide the statutory citation. |
Yes. Withholding limits of 50-65% are consistent with and closely follow the Federal CCPA. Withholding limit information is provided on the Income Withholding Orders.
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2.1 Does your state have policy or procedures allowing the agency to use lower limits than the CCPA? |
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No. |
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3. Does your state charge any fees to the noncustodial parent that the employer must withhold and remit to the state? If yes, please explain. |
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No. |
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4. Is an employer required to begin withholding after the date of service, receipt, or mailing of an income withholding order? |
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Yes, after the date of service. |
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5. What are your state’s sanctions for employers for not implementing income withholding? |
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Referral to the Office of the Attorney General for legal action. |
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6. What are the penalties to an employer for failure to remit payments withheld? |
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The employer is liable for payments if it fails to deduct or remit the payments as ordered. |
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7. Does your state allow other jurisdictions to send income withholding orders for unemployment insurance (UI) benefits directly to your state’s UI agency? If yes, please explain your process and include any additional required documents. |
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Virginia law does allow for direct income withholding orders from other jurisdictions. However, withholdings are submitted to the Virginia Employment Commission via automated system process, and the automated system does not allow for processing of orders from other jurisdictions. |
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7.1 If no, what is your state’s process to aid the other jurisdictions in withholding UI benefits? Please describe and include the required documents. |
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The requesting jurisdiction may submit a Transmittal #1, Transmittal #3, certified order, certified pay history. |
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8. Does your state allow other jurisdictions to send income withholding orders directly to a noncustodial parent’s financial institution in your state? If yes, please explain your process and include any additional required documents. |
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Yes. A direct income withholding order can be sent to any employer in the Commonwealth of Virginia. |
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8.1 If no, what is your state’s process to aid the other jurisdiction in collecting from a financial institution? Please describe and include the required documents. |
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The requesting jurisdiction may submit a Transmittal #1, Transmittal #3, certified order, certified pay history. |
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9. How does a noncustodial parent contest an income withholding in your state? |
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The noncustodial parent follows the challenge instructions on the IWO. The noncustodial parent may submit a written request to the administrative hearings officer within 10 calendar days from the date of service of the order/notice. |
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10. When your state is enforcing an order and receives payment through income withholding that is not enough to cover the full amount ordered, how does your state apply the payment to the types of support (for example, current, arrears, medical, spousal support, other)? Please describe and provide the statutory citations, if appropriate. |
Payment amounts received are applied by the automated system based on an allocation formula. The allocated amounts are distributed per the payment distribution hierarchy - to all current support balances first (with current child support as the first priority), arrearage second, interest third, and fees last. Virginia distributes support payments pursuant to 63.2-1954 Code of Virginia.
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11. Do you send IWOs to employers for independent contractors? If yes, do you have a special process for determining the amount to withhold? |
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Yes. The IWO is sent to employers pursuant to the court ordered amount.
23VAC10-500-130. Employees and independent contractors.
§ 63.2-1946. Virginia New Hire Reporting Center; State Directory of New Hires; reporting by employers
§ 60.2-212. Employment
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1. What data matches (for example, financial institution, state lottery) and enforcement remedies are available through Automated Administrative Enforcement in Interstate Cases (AEI) in your state? (See AT-08-06: Implementing Section 466(a)(14) of the Social Security Act, High-Volume, Automated Administrative Enforcement in Interstate Cases.) |
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Financial Institution Data Match (FIDM). |
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2. What criteria must be met, and in addition to Transmittal #3, what documentation does your state require to proceed with an AEI request? |
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A Transmittal #1. If the request for attachment of unemployment compensation, a certified court order; certified arrears statement; if the request is for seizure of a bank account, the FIDM financial institution and account information and a minimum of $500.00 in the account. |
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3. What are your state's criteria for reporting a noncustodial parent's child support information to credit bureaus? |
Arrears are owed to the Commonwealth of Virginia and/or the custodial parent on an active IV-D case; the arrearages are enforceable. On cases with current support due, arrearages are equal to or greater than three (3) months of current support; On arrears only cases, arrearages are at least $500.00.
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4. To which credit bureaus does your state report a noncustodial parent's child support information? |
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Equifax, TransUnion and Experian. |
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5. Is the method for credit bureau reporting judicial, administrative, or both? |
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Administrative |
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6. Can a noncustodial parent who no longer has a past-due account have the report removed from the credit bureau? If so, what must the noncustodial parent do?" |
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No. Once the past-due balance is satisfied, updated balance information is reported to the credit bureau. The automated system updates the submission process when the participant is no longer being reported because the youngest child has emancipated and the delinquency date is seven (7) years or older. |
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7. When your state is the responding state, does it submit past-due cases to OCSS for federal administrative offset? If yes, what is the minimum required past-due amount? |
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No. |
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8. When your state is the initiating state, does it submit past-due cases to OCSS for federal administrative offset? If yes, what is the minimum required past-due amount? |
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Yes. Virginia submits past-due cases based on federal criteria. |
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9. When your state is the responding state, does it submit past-due cases to OCSS for insurance match? If yes, what is the minimum required past-due amount? |
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Yes. Total arrearages are at least $25.00. |
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10. When your state is the initiating state, does it submit past-due cases to OCSS for insurance match? If yes, what is the minimum required past-due amount? |
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Total arrearages are at least $25.00. |
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11. When your state is the responding state, does it submit past-due cases to OCSS for MSFIDM? If yes, what is the minimum required past-due amount? |
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Total arrearages are at least $25.00. |
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12. When your state is the initiating state, does it submit past-due cases to OCSS for MSFIDM? If yes, what is the minimum past-due amount? |
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Yes. Total arrearages are at least $25.00. |
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13. When your state is the responding state, does it submit past-due cases to OCSS for passport denial? |
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No. |
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14. Are the financial institution attachment procedures in your state judicial, administrative, or both? |
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Administrative. |
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15. Are there specific account types exempt from the administrative financial institution attachment process in your state? If yes, which account types are exempt? |
There is no specific outline of account types exempt from the administrative financial institution attachment process, however, if funds deposited into the account are claimed to be or qualify as exempt funds under the law, the funds may be exempt from attachment.
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16. Is the financial institution attachment process in your state centralized and/or automated? |
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Neither. |
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17. What are the criteria to attach an account in a financial institution in your state? |
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The case has current support due with arrearages in an amount greater than or equal to 90 days obligation; the case is an arrears only case. |
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18. Does your state's law require financial institutions doing business in your state to accept enforcement actions directly from other states? If yes, provide the statutory citation. Please explain. |
No.
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19. If there are no statutory criteria required to attach an account, describe the process for requesting a financial institution attachment from another child support agency (for example, a Transmittal #3) and list additional documentation required. |
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Transmittal #1 is required, Transmittal #3 a copy of the order, a certified pay record, the FIDM financial institution and account information, a minimum $500.00 balance in the account. |
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20. Does your state's income withholding definition include amounts in financial institutions? |
Yes.
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21. Does your state require sending a notice of intent to the noncustodial parent when attaching an account in a financial institution? Who notifies the noncustodial parent - the state, the financial institution, or both? |
Yes, the state.
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22. How long does the financial institution have to hold funds before sending the noncustodial parent's assets to your child support agency? |
Upon receipt of the Order to Deliver, the asset holder is to deliver property, assets, or money immediately, pursuant to the Order to Withhold.
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23. Does your state law or policy require the financial institution and/or state to hold the attached assets during the challenge or appeal time frame? If yes, provide the statutory citation and time frames. |
No. The financial institution is to withhold funds valued up to the amount of the order until receipt of the order to deliver or release.
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24. What amount or percentage of the noncustodial parent's financial assets are eligible for attachment? Is this different for joint accounts? Please explain. |
Any property that is considered disposable earnings is subject to CCPA limits. All other property is subject to withholding in its entirety. There is no difference for joint accounts.
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25. What are the criteria for an obligor or joint account holder to contest a financial institution attachment? |
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Each account holder may contest based on mistake of fact or a claim that the property is exempt.
§ 63.2-1929. Orders to withhold and to deliver property of debtor; issuance and service; contents; right to appeal; answer; effect; delivery of property; bond to release; fee; exemptions.
§ 63.2-1931. Effect of service on banks, savings institutions, etc.
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26. Does your state have procedures to liquidate non-liquid assets (for example, stocks, bonds, etc.)? If yes, provide the statutory citation and the procedures to follow. |
No.
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27. What are your state's criteria for driver's license revocation/suspension for nonpayment of support? |
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A request may be submitted to the Department of Motor Vehicles for suspension of driver’s license if the noncustodial parent owes at least $5000.00 in child support or has child support arrearages totaling at least ninety (90) days of support obligation or at least $500.00 or owes at least $1000.00 in arrearage on arrears only cases. |
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28. What are your state's criteria for driver's license restoration/reinstatement, including hardship exemptions? |
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A payment agreement is negotiated with the noncustodial parent, if arrearages cannot be paid in full; or noncustodial parent qualification and participation in an applicable Administrative Intensive Case Monitoring Program. |
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29. Does your state allow temporary or conditional driver's licenses? If yes, what are the criteria? |
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Yes. The noncustodial parent may petition the appropriate court for a restricted license. The court has the discretion to issue a restricted driver’s license for various reasons. |
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30. What are your state's criteria for professional license revocation/suspension for nonpayment of support? Specify the professional license types. |
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For cases with current support due, the child support arrearages are at least $5000.00 or greater than or equal to 90 days’ obligation and at least $500.00. For arrears only cases, the child support arrearages are at least $5000.00 or greater than or equal to 90 days’ obligation and at least $1000.00. |
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31. What are your state's criteria for professional license restoration/reinstatement, including hardship exemptions? |
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The child support agency does not suspend professional licenses but petitions the court. The court determines suspension and reinstatement. |
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32. Does your state allow temporary or conditional professional licenses? If yes, what are the criteria? |
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Yes. Judicial referral is required for court determination. License surrender provisions are made by order of the court. |
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33. What are your state's criteria for recreational license revocation/suspension for nonpayment of support? Specify the recreational license types. |
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For cases with current support due, child support arrearages are at least $5000, or greater than or equal to 90 days’ obligation and at least $500. For arrears only cases, child support arrearages are at least $5000, or greater than or equal to 90 days’ obligation and at least $1000. |
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34. What are your state's criteria for recreational license restoration/reinstatement, including hardship exemptions? |
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When the delinquency is paid or a satisfactory payment agreement is reached with the child support agency, the court may reinstate the license. |
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35. Does your state allow temporary or conditional recreational licenses? If yes, what are the criteria? |
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Yes. Judicial referral is required for court determination. License surrender provisions are made by order of the court. |
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36. What are the criteria for initiating/filing a lien in your state? |
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Once an administrative support order has been properly served and 10 days have elapsed, or a court enters a support order and the noncustodial parent is delinquent in payments for an amount equal to three (3) months of current support or $1000.00, whichever is greater. |
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37. Is the lien process in your state primarily judicial, administrative, or both? Please describe. |
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Both. The lien process is initiated via administrative process. The lien notice is issued by the Division to the noncustodial parent. The lien is filed in the appropriate Circuit Court. |
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38. Does your state enforce property seizure and sale? If yes, is this process primarily judicial, administrative, or both? Please describe. |
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Yes, both. The child support agency files liens with the appropriate circuit court. The circuit court records the lien information should there be claims made to the property in a real estate sale. |
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39. Does your state have state income tax refund offset as an enforcement remedy? If yes, describe whether the process for this remedy is primarily judicial, administrative, or a combination. |
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Yes. The process is primarily handled administratively, however, the noncustodial parent may appeal the administrative process to the appropriate court. |
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40. Does your state intercept lottery or other types of gaming/gambling winnings in your state? If so, what kind of winnings are included? |
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Yes. Lottery winnings may be intercepted. |
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40.1 If yes, is this enforcement judicial, administrative, or both? |
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The process is primarily handled administratively, however, the noncustodial parent may appeal the administrative process to the appropriate court. |
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41. What other administrative enforcement procedures are available in your state that are not otherwise described in the IRG? |
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Vendor payments may be intercepted. |
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42. What other judicial enforcement procedures are available in your state that are not otherwise described in the IRG? |
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Cases may be referred to Legal Counsel to initiate actions including judgments, bonds, and foreclosures when other administrative and court enforcement measures have been unsuccessful. |
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1. How frequently does your state conduct order reviews in IV-D cases (for example, every year or every three years)? (See 45 CFR 303.8.) |
TANF cases are reviewed every 36 months from the date of the entry of the most recent order. In addition, reviews are done at the request of either party.
For Additional Information - No Link Provided
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2. What is your state's modification procedure? Briefly describe. |
Either party in an IV-D case (including the TANF custodial parent) or an IV-D agency may request a review of the child support obligation at any time. The request must be in writing. Regardless of whether a review has been requested, child support orders for active obligated TANF, and IV-E cases are reviewed every 36 months from the date of the entry of the most recent order. Modifications may be either for an increase or decrease. Reviews can be requested on child support cases with DCSE or the court. DCSE will initiate a review of the amount of support ordered by any court or administrative agency. If the child support order is court ordered and the order specifies that the order deviated from the child support guidelines, DCSE petitions the court for a hearing. If the order is a court order and the order does not specify that the order deviates from the guidelines, DCSE asks the court to approve the Proposed Modified Order.
For Additional Information - No Link Provided
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3. What are the criteria for modification under your state's guidelines (for example, a change that is more than $50 or 20% upward or downward from the current amount ordered)? |
At the request of either party; at the request of another IV-D agency and there is a differece between the existing child support obligation amount and the new obligation amount is at least 10% of the existing obligation amount, and the change in the monthly obligation is at least $25.
For Additional Information - No Link Provided
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4. Which of the following criteria for demonstrating a change in circumstances apply for modifying an order? |
For Additional Information - No Link Provided
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4.1. The earnings of the noncustodial parent have substantially increased or decreased. |
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Yes. |
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4.2. The earnings of the custodial parent have substantially increased or decreased. |
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Yes. |
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4.3. The needs of a party or the child(ren) have substantially increased or decreased. |
No.
For Additional Information - No Link Provided
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4.4. The cost of living has changed. |
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No. |
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4.5. The child(ren) has extraordinary medical expenses not covered by insurance. |
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Yes. |
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4.6. There has been a substantial change in childcare expenses. |
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Yes. |
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4.7. What other criteria does your state use for demonstrating a change in circumstances for modifying an order? |
A child needs to be added to the order.
For Additional Information - No Link Provided
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5. Does your state have a cost of living adjustment (COLAs) for orders? If yes, what index does your state use? (See 45 CFR 303.8(b)(1)(ii).) |
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No. |
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6. After learning that a parent who owes support will be incarcerated for more than 180 calendar days, does your state elect to initiate a review of an order without the need for a specific request, i.e., automatically? (See 45 CFR 303.8(b)(2).) |
No.
For Additional Information - No Link Provided
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7. If a child’s family SSD benefit paid directly to the CP is less than the child support, does the above situation qualify as a change of circumstance for a review and adjustment? |
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Yes. A change in benefit amount or receipt may qualify as a change in circumstance for a review and adjustment.
§ 63.2-1921. (https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title63.2/chapter19/section63.2-1921/)
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8. Does your procedure require a request from a party to review an order in an IV-D Non-Public Assistance case? If yes, must the party sign the request? |
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Yes, unless the agency is notified that the noncustodial parent is receiving Social Security benefits. No, there is no signature requirement.
22VAC40-880-250. (https://law.lis.virginia.gov/admincode/title22/agency40/chapter880/section250/)
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9. Can the IV-D agency initiate a review in an IV-D Non-Public Assistance case without a request from the party (for example, based on data from automated sources that the parent is receiving unemployment or SSI)? |
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Yes. Circumstances may exist that warrant the review to be initiated by the Division.
§ 63.2-1921. (https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title63.2/chapter19/section63.2-1921/)
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1. Does your state require electronic payments? If yes, provide your state statutory citation. |
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Yes. § 20-79.3 of the Code of Virginia requires all companies with at least 100 employees and payroll companies with at least 50 clients submit child support payments electronically. |
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2. What is your state's SDU bank name? |
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Truist (incoming NACHA payment files), Bank of America (disbursements), Wells Fargo (web ach payments). |
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3. What is your state's SDU vendor name? |
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N/A (State Run) |
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4. What is your state's web-based payment service for employers? |
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Web-based payment service: My Child Support - https://mychildsupport.dss.virginia.gov/. |
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5. What is your state's web-based payment service for noncustodial parents? |
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https://mychildsupport.dss.virginia.gov/ Moneygram and CheckFreePay. |
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6. Does your state accept credit card payments? If yes, who does your state accept credit card payments from? |
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Yes. Parents and employers can remit payment via credit card. |
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7. How does your state accept card payments? |
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Card payments are accepted via https://mychildsupport.dss.virginia.gov/, Moneygram and CheckFreePay |
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8. Are there fees associated with the credit card payments? |
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Yes. 3rd party vendor fees only. |
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9. Does your state have other payment options? |
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Yes. Checks or Money orders sent via USPS are accepted. |
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10. How many days following the first pay period after service, receipt, or mailing of an income withholding order is an employer required to begin withholding? |
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No later than the first pay period that occurs after the date of service of the IWO.
§ 20-79.3.(https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title20/chapter5/section20-79.3/)
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11. When must an employer remit amounts withheld from an employee's pay? |
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Payments are to be submitted within the same working day of the pay date if paying by check and within 4 days if submitting payment by EFT. |
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12. When calculating disposable income for child support purposes, what are the mandatory deductions from gross income required by state law, such as union dues or medical insurance premiums? |
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Required deductions can include federal, state, and local taxes, FICA, as well as withholdings for employee retirement systems as required by law. |
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13. What is your state's priority for withholdings? |
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Child support is the priority withholding.
Code of Virginia Code - Article 5. Income Withholding (https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacodefull/title63.2/chapter19/article5/)
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14. Does your state law adopt the federal Consumer Credit Protection Act (CCPA) income withholding limits? Provide the statutory citation. |
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Yes. Withholding limits of 50-65% are consistent with and closely follow the Federal CCPA. Withholding limits are provided on the IWO.
§ 34-29. (https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/34-29/)
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15. What are the withholding limits for non-employees? |
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Withholding limits for non-employees are 50-65% of the payment. Withholding limit information is provided in the IWO.
§ 34-29. (https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/34-29/) |
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16. How does your state allocate payments when there is more than one claim against the noncustodial parent's income? Should the payment be divided equally, or prorated among the cases? (See 45 CFR 303.100(a)(5).) |
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Payments received are applied by the automated system based on an allocation formula. Payments are prorated among orders when there is more than 1 order for withholding support for an NCP for different families.
§ 20-79.3. (https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title20/chapter5/section20-79.3/)
§ 63.2-1954. (https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title63.2/chapter19/section63.2-1954/)
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17. When does your state require employers to send notice of an employee's termination? |
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Employers are to promptly report employee’s termination.
§ 20-79.3.(https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title20/chapter5/section20-79.3/)
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18. How long should an employer retain the order after the employee's termination? |
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There is no requirement for the employer to retain a copy of the IWO after the employee’s termination. The order is binding upon the employer until further order is served or the employee is no longer employed.
§ 20-79.3. (https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title20/chapter5/section20-79.3/)
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19. What is the maximum fee for the administrative cost that an employer may charge for processing income withholding orders? (45 CFR 303.100 (e)(iii)) |
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Up to $5.00 for each reply or remittance sent to the Division.
§ 20-79.3. (https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title20/chapter5/section20-79.3/) |
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20. Provide your state's statutory citation. |
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§ 63.2-1923. Immediate withholding from income; exception; notices required (https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title63.2/chapter19/section63.2-1923/)
§ 63.2-1924. Withholding from income; default of administrative or judicial support order; notices required; priorities; orders from other states (https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title63.2/chapter19/section63.2-1924/)
§ 63.2-1924.1. Health care coverage; National Medical Support Notice (https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title63.2/chapter19/section63.2-1924.1/)
§ 63.2-1925. Certain amount of income that may be withheld by lien or order (https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title63.2/chapter19/section63.2-1925/)
§ 63.2-1926. Withholding pursuant to foreign support order (https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title63.2/chapter19/section63.2-1926/)
§ 34-29. Maximum portion of disposable earnings subject to garnishment (https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/34-29/)
§ 20-79.1. Enforcement of support orders; income deduction; penalty for wrongful discharge (https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title20/chapter5/section20-79.1/)
§ 20-79.2. Immediate income deduction; income withholding (https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title20/chapter5/section20-79.2/)
§ 20-79.3. Information required in income deduction order (https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/20-79.3/)
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21. Does your state have a definition of a lump sum or bonus? Provide the statutory citation. (Note: States may define "lump sum" more broadly than only employer-related lump sums.) |
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Lump sum or bonus are not defined in the state code.
§ 63.2-1900. (https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title63.2/chapter19/section63.2-1900/)
22VAC40-880-10. (https://law.lis.virginia.gov/admincode/title22/agency40/chapter880/section10/)
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22. Does your state law require employers to report lump sum payments? If yes, provide the statutory citation or rule. |
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No |
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23. Does your state have a threshold amount for a lump sum to be reported? |
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No. There is no established threshold that must be met for reporting purposes. |
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24. Does your state citation or rule provide how long the employer must hold the lump sum? |
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The employer is to remit the payment amount withheld pursuant to the Order to Withhold upon receipt of the Order to Deliver.
§ 63.2-1929. (https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title63.2/chapter19/section63.2-1929/)
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25. Is the Income Withholding Order (IWO) used for lump sums? |
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Yes. |
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26. How does your state attach different types of lump sum payments? For example, does your state use the OMB-approved IWO for employer- issued bonuses, a lien, and levy notice for workers' compensation (if workers' compensation is considered a lump sum payment in your state), etc.? |
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The lump sum payment option may be selected on the OMB approved Income Withholding for Support to collect on, but not limited to commissions, profit sharing, workers’ compensation, service awards, and discretionary and nondiscretionary bonuses. An Order to Withhold may also be issued to employers, financial institutions, insurance companies, and Thrift Savings Plans to attach lump sum payments.
Lump sum payments are subject to CCPA limits.
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27. If the lump sum is earnings as defined by the CCPA, does your state limit the withholding to a greater degree than the CCPA limitation? |
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No, Virginia does not limit withholdings to a greater degree than the CCPA limits. Va. Code § 63.2-1925. |
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28. If the lump sum is not earnings as defined by the CCPA, does your state limit the withholding/attachment? |
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CCPA limits do not apply to lump sum withholding. |
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29. What is your state's Medical Support Statute? |
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§ 63.2-1924.1. Health care coverage; National Medical Support Notice (https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title63.2/chapter19/section63.2-1924.1/) |
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30. What is your state's Reasonable Cost Definition? |
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"Reasonable cost" pertaining to health care coverage for dependent children means available, in an amount not to exceed five percent of the gross income of the parent responsible for providing health care coverage, and accessible through employers, unions or other groups, or Department-sponsored health care coverage, without regard to service delivery mechanism; unless the court deems otherwise in the best interests of the child, including where the only health care coverage available exceeds five percent, or by agreement of the parties.
§ 63.2-1900. Definitions (https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title63.2/chapter19/section63.2-1900/) |
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31. What is the Health Coverage Expense? |
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Health coverage expense is not defined in the Virginia code §63.2-1900. However, in Virginia acceptable proof of health care expense would include items such as a check stub showing the deduction breakdown amount or verbal or written statement listing of the plan costs from an employer or a private insurance provider. |
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32. What is the Income Withholding Limits for Support? |
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§ 34-29. Maximum portion of disposable earnings subject to garnishment (https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/34-29/)
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33. What is the Priority of Withholding? |
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Child Support is the priority withholding. |
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34. What is the priority of health coverage if the income withholding limit is less than the total costs of ordered coverage? |
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Child Support is the priority withholding. |
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35. According to 45 CFR §303.32(a), what are your state options? |
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The State uses the NMSN to enforce health care coverage and performs required activities in accordance with 45 CFR 303.32(a) |
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36. What does your state do if an employee contests 45 CFR §303.32(c)(5)? |
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The employee may submit information for review of the claim based on mistake of fact. Action to terminate the NMSN are determined based on the facts of the contest. |
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37. What is the reporting timeframe (non-magnetic media only)? |
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All employers with business operations in the State of Virginia are required to report all newly hired or rehired employees who live or work in Virginia within twenty (20) days of the employees’ first day on the job. State and federal laws require employers to report paid individuals regardless of whether the individuals are considered employees by federal tax code standards.
§ 63.2-1946.
https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title63.2
/chapter19/section63.2-1946/
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38. What are the required data elements? |
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Employer Information: Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN), Name of business, Employer address (to be used for income withholding orders), Employee Information, Employee's name, Employee's mailing address, Social Security Number (SSN), Employee's date of hire, State of hire (required if reporting as Multistate Employer);
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39. What are the methods of transmission? |
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online reporting, electronic reporting, mail, fax, For more information on the convenient reporting options available visit https://va-newhire.com; |
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40. Does your state require independent contractor reporting? |
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Yes, 23VAC10-500-130.:
(https://law.lis.virginia.gov/admincode/title23
/agency10/chapter500/section130/), § 63.2-1946:
https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode
/title63.2/chapter19/section63.2-1946/, § 60.2-212.:
https://law.lis.virginia.gov
/vacode/60.2-212/;
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