| 1. What is the duration of support in your state? Include the age of majority when the support obligation ends in the absence of other factors. Include your state's statutory citation(s). |
Ordinarily, the obligation to pay child support will end when a child reaches the age of 18. Age of majority is 18 per WV Code § 2-3-1. However, payments of support may continue past the age of 18 if the child is unmarried and residing with a parent, guardian or custodian, and is enrolled as a full-time student in a secondary educational or vocational program and making substantial progress towards a diploma. Child support payments can't extend past the date the child reaches the age of 20 per WV Code § 48-11-103(a) (https://code.wvlegislature.gov/48-11-103/). Factors that would end child support: The child marries, the child is adopted, the child dies, or the Court ceases support for other reasons.
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| 2. If not addressed in the order, at what age is child support automatically terminated as a matter of state law? Qualify, if necessary. |
18, but all orders entered in WV must have language that provides for support after 18 if the child is enrolled as a student, see answer to #1.
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| 3. Does the date of the order determine the law that is applied to the duration of support? If yes, describe. |
No
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| 4. Does your state law allow support to be paid beyond the age of majority under certain circumstances (for example, if the child has a disability or is in college)? If yes, describe. |
Yes, the Court may extend based on the special needs of the child who is mentally or physically disabled. See answer listed in #1 above.
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| 5. What are your state's laws regarding the emancipation of the child that would result in early termination of the child support obligation? Describe. |
Emancipation automatically occurs when the child marries, or when a court declares the child emancipated. Please see WV Code §49-4-115(c).
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| 6. Does child support end if the child no longer lives with the custodial parent but does not emancipate according to state law? For example, the child graduates from high school at 17 and no longer lives with the custodial parent? |
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No, continues until child reaches age of majority or other conditions in #1. |
| 7. For orders that include multiple children, does your state automatically reduce the current support owed for remaining children after one of the children in the order reaches the age of majority or otherwise emancipates? If yes, describe. |
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No, support is not reduced unless the order is a per child order. |
| 8. Does your state provide IV-D services to establish support for a child who is no longer a minor but for whom state law provides post-majority support (for example, if the child has a disability or is in college)? If yes, please describe the specific circumstances. |
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Yes, if child becomes disabled prior to graduating from secondary education.
If child is in college, BCSE will not establish support.
Please see WV Code §48-11-103 (https://code.wvlegislature.gov/48-11-103/) for the specific circumstances.
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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)? |
Income Shares Model per WV Code §48-13-101 et seq.
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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)? |
The extended shared parenting adjustment is used in cases where each parent has the child for more than 127 days per year (35 percent). The basic child support obligation is multiplied by 1.6 to arrive at a shared parenting basic child support obligation. The shared parenting basic child support obligation is apportioned to each parent according to his or her income. (WV Code §48-13-501)
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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, 5% per annum simple interest beginning 7/1/08; 10% per annum simple interest from 7/1/95 to 6/30/08. Other rates applied prior to July 1995. (WV Code §48-1-302)
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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, 5% per annum simple interest beginning 7/1/08; 10% per annum simple interest from 7/1/95 to 6/30/08. Other rates applied prior to July 1995. (WV Code §48-1-302) |
| 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, 1) No pre-judgment interest is charged. 2) Once the retroactive support is ordered, interest is charged from the date of the order forward. See #2 above |
| 6. Will your state enforce a medical debt for any uninsured portion? If yes, under what circumstances? |
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Yes, if a judgment is awarded for the obligor’s portion. |
| 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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1) The applicant/recipient (new caretaker or child support worker) signs an affidavit stating that the child is living with a new caretaker, in foster care, or receiving TANF; 2) A letter along with a copy of the affidavit is mailed to the obligor, the court-ordered payee, the new caretaker, and is filed with the Court. The parties have 10 days to object to the redirection of support; 3) If no objection is received, a notice of the redirection is mailed to the parties and filed with the Court. The redirection informs the parties that payments will be redirected to the new caretaker. Any support received for that child after the notice of redirection is mailed, is forwarded to the appropriate entity. (WV Code §48-18-114) |
| 7.1 Does it matter if the child receives TANF or Medicaid-only? If yes, explain. |
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No, the process remains the same as indicated in #7. |
| 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
WV Code §§48-14-102 & 48-18-114
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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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Statutory benefits may be in lieu of support ONLY when the Court order states specifically that the child's portion of the benefit is to be in lieu of the support obligation. If there is a current order of support, BCSE would file a request to modify. The child support calculation submitted to the Court would subtract the amount of disability benefits the child(ren) received from the proposed child support amount and request credit of any lump sum monies received as a result of the obligor’s disability benefits. WV Code §48-13-603 |
| 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 |
| 10. Does your state abate support? If yes, explain the circumstances and provide your statutory citation. |
No
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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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It is treated as a gift |
| 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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If the other state is enforcing a WV court order and we find out that the payor is receiving social security benefits, then WV will request the other state close their case and WV will issue a direct income withholding to SSA. If WV is enforcing another state’s court order and we find out that the payor is receiving social security benefits, we will issue the IWO to SSA unless the initiating state requests closure. |
| 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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Yes |
| 14. Does your state child support agency have a debt compromise program? |
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Yes, we have an Amnesty Program, but it only allows forgiveness of all or a portion of the interest that has accrued [WV Code §48-1-302] https://code.wvlegislature.gov/48-1-302/ |
| 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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In an arrearage only case, BCSE uses the amount of the last monthly obligation plus 25% of that obligation for arrears. However, if a Court ordered a limit or the BCSE previously agreed to a limit, those limits remain in place unless they later exceed the maximum amounts allowed by law. |
| 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, but the parent who now has custody (new obligee), must provide proof/documentation of the change in physical custody to have the child support obligation stopped or modified/redirected to the new obligee. WV Code §48-18-114 - https://code.wvlegislature.gov/48-18-114/ |
| 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. The Family Court Judge may address custody and visitation; however, the BCSE does not litigate nor participate in custody and visitation issues.
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| 2. How is genetic testing coordinated within your state when the other party is in another state? |
An appointment is scheduled for the other party in the state in which he/she resides. If the party fails to appear for two genetic testing appointments, and WV has long arm jurisdiction, we proceed with judicial actions. If WV does not have long arm jurisdiction, we proceed with UIFSA actions.
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| 3. What is the percentage of probability for genetic testing that creates a rebuttable or conclusive presumption of paternity? |
98% (WV Code §48-24-103(2))
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| 4. What is the state law citation that makes paternity acknowledgment conclusive? Please describe (if appropriate). |
WV Code §§48-24-106 (https://code.wvlegislature.gov/48-24-106/), and 16-5-10 are the statutes concerning paternity acknowledgments. Paternity affidavits are conclusive after the rescission period expires.
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| 5. Does marriage constitute a rebuttable presumption of paternity/parentage without exceptions? Please describe and provide your statutory citation. |
Yes, there is presumption but there are exceptions. Please see WV Code §§16-5-10 and 48-24-101(e)(2) (https://code.wvlegislature.gov/48-24-101/).
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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, see WV Code §16-5-10
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| 7.Does your state have any other paternity/parentage-related presumptions? If yes, please describe. |
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No |
| 8. What, if any, is the agency name and link for your state’s putative fathers’ registry? |
WV does not have a 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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Copies of birth certificates or paternity affidavits. The BCSE does not charge a fee for providing copies to another IV-D agency. Requests should be emailed to DHHRBCSEDVSResearch@WV.GOV |
| 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? |
Yes. DVS charges a $12 fee. IV-D agencies can request assistance by emailing the BCSE at DHHRBCSEDVSResearch@WV.GOV
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| 10.1 Describe any circumstances under which these fees may be waived? |
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Contact the WV Division of Vital Statistics - http://www.wvdhhr.org/bph/hsc/contactUs.asp |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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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Send one intergovernmental packet for all children with the same parents (obligee and obligor). |
| 1. Does your state use an administrative, judicial, or a combined process to establish a support obligation? |
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WV only uses a judicial process. |
| 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. |
WV only uses a judicial process, see WV Code §§48-11-101 et seq., 48-13-101 (https://code.wvlegislature.gov/48-13-101), 48-14-101 to 107 (https://code.wvlegislature.gov/48-14-101/) to (https://code.wvlegislature.gov/48-14-107/)
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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. |
All circumstances are judicial.
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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)? |
The obligee and obligor's income are used for WV's guidelines, see WV Code §§48-13-103, 48-13-201 (https://code.wvlegislature.gov/48-13-103/), and §48-13-603 (https://code.wvlegislature.gov/48-13-603/).
Also need information on the child's portion of SSD if based on the obligor's disability. WV Code §48-1-228 (https://code.wvlegislature.gov/48-1-228/).
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| 2.1. What documentation is required as proof/evidence of this information? |
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There is no specific requirement. Preferred documentation can be income tax returns, W2s, paycheck stubs, and award statements. |
| 3. What criteria for rebutting your presumptive guidelines have been established in your state? |
(1) Special needs of the child or support obligor, including, but not limited to, the special needs of a minor or adult child who is physically or mentally disabled; (2) Educational expenses for the child or parent (i.e., those incurred for private, parochial or trade schools, other secondary schools, or post-secondary education where there is tuition or costs beyond state and local tax contributions); (3) Families with more than 6 children; (4) Long distance visitation costs; (5) The child resides with a third party; (6) The needs of another child or children to whom the obligor owes a duty of support; (7) The extent to which the obligor's income depends on nonrecurring or nonguaranteed income; or (8) Whether the total of alimony, child support and child care costs subtracted from the obligor's income reduces that income to less than the federal poverty level and conversely, whether deviation from child support guidelines will reduce the income of the child's household to less than the federal poverty level.
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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, in paternity cases, the court is limited to 3 years unless it can be proven that (1) the alleged father had actual knowledge that he was the father of the child; or (2) the alleged father deliberately concealed his whereabouts to evade process; or (3) the alleged father deliberately misrepresented relevant information. If any one of these is present, the court can go back to the birth of the child, see WV Code 48-24-104. In non-paternity cases, support can be retroactive to the birth of the child or separation of the parents.
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| 4.1. What information or documentation does your state require to proceed with establishing support for prior periods? |
Income documentation and voluntary payment history for periods for which reimbursement is sought.
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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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No |
| 4.3. If there are limitations upon your state's ability to establish support for prior periods, specify those limitations. |
See #4. Also, the doctrine of laches may apply.
When requesting the establishment of support, all interstate requests must include a request for current support.
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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, WV Code §§48-14-102 & 48-18-114 (https://code.wvlegislature.gov/48-18-114/).
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| 5.1. What about when public assistance is not being expended? |
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Same as #5 |
| 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? |
If child support is reserved due to lack of personal jurisdiction, setting support can be through establishment process. For all other situations, use the modification process. WV Code §§48-13, 48-11-102, and 48-11-105 https://code.wvlegislature.gov/48-13/ and https://code.wvlegislature.gov/48-11-105/
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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, but the parent who now has custody (new obligee), must provide proof/documentation of the change in physical custody to have the child support obligation stopped or modified/redirected to the new obligee. See WV Code §48-18-114.
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| 1. What are specific sources of income not subject to withholding? |
TANF benefits, SSI, VA Disability, see WV Code §48-1-228(d).
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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. |
No, WV uses limits that are 10% lower than the CCPA.
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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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Yes, we have a hardship policy for collection of arrears. |
| 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 |
| 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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Mailing of an income withholding order. The employer must begin withholding immediately after the mailing date of the income withholding order per WV Code §48-14-407 - the source of income shall implement withholding no later than the first pay period or first date for payment of income that occurs after fourteen days following the date the notice to the source of income was mailed. https://code.wvlegislature.gov/48-14-407/ |
| 5. What are your state’s sanctions for employers for not implementing income withholding? |
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Misdemeanor with fine up to $100 or civil suit for damages. Proceedings may be filed against the employer. The employer is liable for the accumulated amount the employer should have withheld from the obligor's wages. (WV Code §48-14-413; WV Code §48-14-414; WV Code §48-14-415). https://code.wvlegislature.gov/48-14-413/
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| 6. What are the penalties to an employer for failure to remit payments withheld? |
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Civil penalties same as #7. Criminal penalties could be applied if an employer is found guilty of a crime. |
| 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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No, WV Code §48-18-119 https://code.wvlegislature.gov/48-18-119/
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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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Requires a UIFSA request - Limited Services. Send Transmittal-1, Confidential Information Form, one certified copy of all orders, and certified accounting. |
| 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, but there is no statutory requirement for the bank to honor an I/W.
WV Code §48-18-124 - https://code.wvlegislature.gov/48-18-124/
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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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WV will seize account upon receiving a full UIFSA request. |
| 9. How does a noncustodial parent contest an income withholding in your state? |
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The obligor may contest the income withholding, in writing, to the BCSE and an administrative review will be scheduled. If the issues cannot be resolved at the administrative review, the obligor may petition the court for a resolution. (WV Code §48-14-405) - https://code.wvlegislature.gov/48-14-405/ |
| 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. |
Money is remitted under the obligor's SSN and the State's system allocates. Current support is paid proportionately between all the obligor's cases. Current support is paid first in all cases before any money is distributed to arrearages. Arrearages paid are divided evenly between all the obligor's cases owed an arrearage. (WV Code §48-14-408). The employer may contact the WV Employer Relations Unit for clarification - https://dhhr.wv.gov/bcse/employers/Pages/Contact Employer Relations.aspx
The employer should withhold the amount requested in each of the withholdings, if possible. However, if the obligor's income is not enough to pay the full amount, the employer should withhold up to WV's limit.
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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, no special process in place, the income withholding notice applies to all income. WV Code §§ 48-18-125 and 48-14-408 - https://code.wvlegislature.gov/48-18-125/ and https://code.wvlegislature.gov/48-14-408/ |
| 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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MSFIDM, FIDM, Lottery, and lump sum benefits. Requests may require a full UIFSA petition, dependent on whether the obligor contests the action. See WV Code §§48-16-507 (https://code.wvlegislature.gov/48-16-507/), and 48-16-601 (https://code.wvlegislature.gov/48-16-601/) thru 48-16-603 (https://code.wvlegislature.gov/48-16-603/) Please provide the required federal forms per OCSS' matrix at https://www.acf.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/documents/ocse/intergovernmental_forms_matrix.pdf
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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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Normal UIFSA procedures for enforcement of order: Transmittal # 1, Letter of Transmittal Requesting Registration, Personal Information Form, Child Support Agency Confidential Information Form, Certified Orders, Certified Arrearages Statement, and any other supporting documents (Recent postal, etc.). Please include all required forms per OCSS' matrix at https://www.acf.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/documents/ocse/intergovernmental_forms_matrix.pdf. |
| 3. What are your state's criteria for reporting a noncustodial parent's child support information to credit bureaus? |
The arrearage must be at least $10,000, and it must have been past due for at least six months. WV Code §48-18-121(a)-(d) - https://code.wvlegislature.gov/48-18-121/
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| 4. To which credit bureaus does your state report a noncustodial parent's child support information? |
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BCSE reports to Equifax, Experian, and Innovis. |
| 5. Is the method for credit bureau reporting judicial, administrative, or both? |
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Credit bureau reporting is administrative. |
| 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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The BCSE automatically submits monthly balances to the credit bureaus. The credit bureau determines when to remove. The obligor may dispute any errors with the credit bureau. |
| 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, unless there are state arrears owed to WV and WV is actively enforcing. |
| 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, per 45 CFR §303.7(c)(8) (https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-45/subtitle-B/chapter-III/part-303/section-303.7#p-303.7(c)(8)). BCSE submits cases with state arrears of $150.00 or family arrears of $500.00 in all of the obligor's combined cases. |
| 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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No |
| 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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Yes, the minimum required is $1,000 in arrears. |
| 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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No |
| 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, the minimum required is $1,000 in arrears. |
| 13. When your state is the responding state, does it submit past-due cases to OCSS for passport denial? |
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No |
| 14. Are the financial institution attachment procedures in your state judicial, administrative, or both? |
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Procedures in WV are judicial. See WV Code §§48-18-124; 48-14-203; and 48-14-204 https://code.wvlegislature.gov/48-18-124/ https://code.wvlegislature.gov/48-14-203/ https://code.wvlegislature.gov/48-14-204/ |
| 15. Are there specific account types exempt from the administrative financial institution attachment process in your state? If yes, which account types are exempt? |
No, there are no specific account type exemptions. WV Code §48-18-124
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| 16. Is the financial institution attachment process in your state centralized and/or automated? |
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The process is primarily centralized. |
| 17. What are the criteria to attach an account in a financial institution in your state? |
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Arrears are equal to or greater than $1000.00. |
| 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 applicable statute regarding accepting direct enforcement from other states.
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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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Full UIFSA is required to levy accounts because judicial action is required. WV Code §§48-14-301 and 48-14-302 - https://code.wvlegislature.gov/48-18-301/ and https://code.wvlegislature.gov/48-18-302/ Please provide all federal forms as indicated in OCSS' matrix located at https://www.acf.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/documents/ocse/intergovernmental_forms_matrix.pdf
and certified accounting and one certified copy of all orders. |
| 20. Does your state's income withholding definition include amounts in financial institutions? |
No. WV Code §§48-14-405 and 48-1-230 (https://code.wvlegislature.gov/48-1-230/).
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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, a notice of intent must be sent to the obligor. The state and financial institution notify the obligor. The obligor has 14 days to contest the action.
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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? |
The timeframe varies.
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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 assets may be held or delivered to court or child support agency.
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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. |
100% is eligible for attachment, including joint accounts.
For Additional Information -
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| 25. What are the criteria for an obligor or joint account holder to contest a financial institution attachment? |
|
Some defenses against attachment: Wrong person, mistakes in fact, no ownership rights, debt not owed, and account contains SSI funds. WV Code §§38-8-11 and 48-14-204. https://code.wvlegislature.gov/38-8-1/ https://code.wvlegislature.gov/48-14-204/ |
| 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
For Additional Information - No Link Provided
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| 27. What are your state's criteria for driver's license revocation/suspension for nonpayment of support? |
|
A Court finds that all other enforcement remedies have been exhausted and the arrears equal to or exceed six months of child support; or noncompliance with medical order for six months; or failure to comply with a warrant or subpoena. If low-income parents or hardship exemptions exist, the case is not referred for license suspension. WV Code §§48-15-201, 48-15-203 & 48-15-209 https://code.wvlegislature.gov/48-15-201/ http://code.wvlegislature.gov/48-15-203/ http://code.wvlegislature.gov/48-15-209/ |
| 28. What are your state's criteria for driver's license restoration/reinstatement, including hardship exemptions? |
|
Pay the full amount of the child support arrearage or medical support arrearage or provides proof that health insurance for the child has been obtained as required by a medical support order or enters into a pay agreement with the BCSE. Restoration/reinstatement requires the Court to issue an order restoring the license. |
| 29. Does your state allow temporary or conditional driver's licenses? If yes, what are the criteria? |
|
Yes, but nothing related to child support.
WV Code §17B-7-5 - https://code.wvlegislature.gov/17B-7-5/
|
| 30. What are your state's criteria for professional license revocation/suspension for nonpayment of support? Specify the professional license types. |
|
A Court finds that all other enforcement remedies have been exhausted and the arrears equal to or exceed six months of child support; or noncompliance with medical order for six months; or failure to comply with a warrant or subpoena. If low-income parents or hardship exemptions exist, the case is not referred for license suspension. WV Code §§48-15-201, 48-15-203 & 48-15-209. https://code.wvlegislature.gov/48-15-201/ https://code.wvlegislature.gov/48-15-203/ https://code.wvlegislature.gov/48-15-209/ Licenses defined in WV Code §48-15-104 - https://code.wvlegislature.gov/48-15-104/ |
| 31. What are your state's criteria for professional license restoration/reinstatement, including hardship exemptions? |
|
Pay the full amount of the child support arrearage or medical support arrearage or provides proof that health insurance for the child has been obtained as required by a medical support order or enters into a pay agreement with the BCSE. Restoration/ reinstatement requires the Court to issue an order reinstating the license. |
| 32. Does your state allow temporary or conditional professional licenses? If yes, what are the criteria? |
|
This is dependent upon the licensing authority. See WV Code listed in question 30. |
| 33. What are your state's criteria for recreational license revocation/suspension for nonpayment of support? Specify the recreational license types. |
|
A Court finds that all other enforcement remedies have been exhausted and the arrears equal to or exceed six months of child support; or noncompliance with medical order for six months; or failure to comply with a warrant or subpoena. If low-income parents or hardship exemptions exist, the case is not referred for license suspension. WV Code §§48-15-201, 48-15-203 & 48-15-209. https://code.wvlegislature.gov/48-15-201/ https://code.wvlegislature.gov/48-15-203/ https://code.wvlegislature.gov/48-15-209/ Licenses defined in WV Code §48-15-104 - https://code.wvlegislature.gov/48-15-104/ |
| 34. What are your state's criteria for recreational license restoration/reinstatement, including hardship exemptions? |
|
Pay the full amount of the child support arrearage or medical support arrearage or provides proof that health insurance for the child has been obtained as required by a medical support order or enters into a pay agreement with the BCSE. Restoration/ reinstatement requires the Court to issue an order reinstating the license. |
| 35. Does your state allow temporary or conditional recreational licenses? If yes, what are the criteria? |
|
Yes, but nothing related to child support.
|
| 36. What are the criteria for initiating/filing a lien in your state? |
|
Statutory- Personal property - 14 days delinquent, whole or partial payments. Real property - 30 days in arrears. Policy - Arrears over $5,000.00. |
| 37. Is the lien process in your state primarily judicial, administrative, or both? Please describe. |
|
Both. A judicial lien is filed after most judgments. An administrative lien is filed with an Affidavit of Accrued Support. WV Code §§48-14-201; 203; 204; 301; 302; 38-3-5 thru 38-3-8. https://code.wvlegislature.gov/48-14-201/ https://code.wvlegislature.gov/48-14-203/ https://code.wvlegislature.gov/48-14-204/ https://code.wvlegislature.gov/48-14-301/ https://code.wvlegislature.gov/48-14-302/ https://code.wvlegislature.gov/38-3-5/ https://code.wvlegislature.gov/38-3-6/ https://code.wvlegislature.gov/38-3-7/ https://code.wvlegislature.gov/38-3-8/ |
| 38. Does your state enforce property seizure and sale? If yes, is this process primarily judicial, administrative, or both? Please describe. |
|
Yes. Seizure is administrative and the sale is judicial. The process is rarely used and requires a large asset.
WV Code §38-4-1 et seq. https://code.wvlegislature.gov/38-4/
|
| 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. |
|
Yes, administrative remedy. |
| 40. Does your state intercept lottery or other types of gaming/gambling winnings in your state? If so, what kind of winnings are included? |
|
Yes, all types of winnings are included. |
| 40.1 If yes, is this enforcement judicial, administrative, or both? |
|
Administrative |
| 41. What other administrative enforcement procedures are available in your state that are not otherwise described in the IRG? |
|
None |
| 42. What other judicial enforcement procedures are available in your state that are not otherwise described in the IRG? |
|
None |
| 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.) |
Every 3 years the obligee and obligor are notified that their case qualifies for a modification review. WV Code §48-18-126
For Additional Information -
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| 2. What is your state's modification procedure? Briefly describe. |
BCSE or party petitions the court for a modification and requests a hearing. WV Code §48-11-105
For Additional Information -
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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)? |
Minimum 15% difference from current child support order or when the obligor is incarcerated or becomes eligible for disability benefits. See WV Code §§48-11-105 and 48-18-202(6)(b) https://code.wvlegislature.gov/48-11-105/ https://code.wvlegislature.gov/48-18-202/
For Additional Information -
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| 4. Which of the following criteria for demonstrating a change in circumstances apply for modifying an order? |
All of the ones listed below except for cost of living.
For Additional Information -
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| 4.1. The earnings of the noncustodial parent have substantially increased or decreased. |
|
Yes, see WV Code §48-18-126. https://code.wvlegislature.gov/48-18-126/ |
| 4.2. The earnings of the custodial parent have substantially increased or decreased. |
|
Yes, see WV Code §48-18-126. https://code.wvlegislature.gov/48-18-126/ |
| 4.3. The needs of a party or the child(ren) have substantially increased or decreased. |
Yes, see WV Code §48-18-126. https://code.wvlegislature.gov/48-18-126/
For Additional Information -
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| 4.4. The cost of living has changed. |
|
No |
| 4.5. The child(ren) has extraordinary medical expenses not covered by insurance. |
|
Yes, see WV Code §48-18-126. https://code.wvlegislature.gov/48-18-126/ |
| 4.6. There has been a substantial change in childcare expenses. |
|
Yes, see WV Code §48-18-126. https://code.wvlegislature.gov/48-18-126/ |
| 4.7. What other criteria does your state use for demonstrating a change in circumstances for modifying an order? |
Obligor eligible for disability payments or incarcerated, change in physical custody of children, emancipation of a child, child still in high school at age 18, add medical insurance, and death of one of the parties. See WV Code §§48-11-105 and 48-18-202(6)(b). https://code.wvlegislature.gov/48-18-202/
For Additional Information -
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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).) |
|
No, WV does not have a COLA adjustment. |
| 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).) |
Yes, see WV Code §48-18-202(6)(b).
For Additional Information -
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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? |
|
Yes, the receipt of SSD benefits qualifies for a review and adjustment if other criteria are met. |
| 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? |
|
No, the BCSE would initiate a review upon notification that exigent circumstances exist. The party does not sign the request. |
| 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)? |
|
Yes, the BCSE automatically initiates a review upon notification that a parent is incarcerated, disabled, or otherwise incapacitated for a period lasting longer than six months, or the child no longer resides with the obligee which is anticipated to be permanent and not on a temporary basis. |
| 1. Does your state require electronic payments? If yes, provide your state statutory citation. |
|
Yes, employers with more than 50 employees are required to remit their child support payments electronically. |
| 2. What is your state's SDU bank name? |
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The SDU bank is Fifth Third - collections and disbursements
|
| 3. What is your state's SDU vendor name? |
|
Systems and Methods, Inc. |
| 4. What is your state's web-based payment service for employers? |
|
Electronic Payments:
Child Support Direct $1.00 fee per transaction
Smart e-Pay No Fee Phone: 1-855-363-1753
NACHA Guidelines
Pay by Mail:
Send your check or money order (NO CASH) along with a Wage Assignment Transmittal to ensure proper credit to:
Bureau for Child Support Enforcement
PO Box 247
Charleston, WV 25321
Employers who wish to send funds electronically are encouraged to send ACH electronic payments.
Questions:
Please contact the Employer Relations Unit at
dhhrbcseeru@wv.gov
or 1-800-249-3778
|
| 5. What is your state's web-based payment service for noncustodial parents? |
|
Pay Online at West Virginia Support Payment Center: wv.smartchildsupport.com, 1-855-303-0094
For a one-time payment by Credit or Debit card (Fees apply)
One-time or recurring payments by electronic bank draft (No Fee)
Questions: Please contact the Customer Service Unit at dohsbcsecsu@wv.gov or 1-800-249-3778. |
| 6. Does your state accept credit card payments? If yes, who does your state accept credit card payments from? |
|
Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express, and electronic checks accepted. The system is designed for noncustodial parents as the payers (employers may use, same fees apply). |
| 7. How does your state accept card payments? |
|
Smart Epay
855-303-0094 |
| 8. Are there fees associated with the credit card payments? |
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Electronic bank drafts - no fee
Credit/Debit card (fees assessed based on the payment amount).
|
| 9. Does your state have other payment options? |
|
Address for payment information - https://dhhr.wv.gov/bcse |
| 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? |
|
The employer must begin withholding on the first pay period occurring 14 days from the mailing date of an income withholding order. |
| 11. When must an employer remit amounts withheld from an employee's pay? |
|
The employer must withhold every pay period from the employee's pay. |
| 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? |
|
Federal, state, city taxes, FICA Disposable income means that part remaining after the deduction of any amounts required by law to be withheld WV Code §48-1-223. https://code.wvlegislature.gov/48-1-223/ Defined in WV Code §21-5-1(g) - https://code.wvlegislature.gov/21-5-1/ |
| 13. What is your state's priority for withholdings? |
|
WV's priority for withholding are current support, health insurance premiums, and lastly arrears. |
| 14. Does your state law adopt the federal Consumer Credit Protection Act (CCPA) income withholding limits? Provide the statutory citation. |
|
W. Va. Code §48-14-408 reduces the CCPA limits by 10% each. Also, in a case with current support, the arrearage collection cannot be more than 25% of the current support amount. https://code.wvlegislature.gov/48-14-408/
The 25% limit can be increased by up to $200 per month if the obligor owes a substantial arrearage. WV Code §48-14-801 - https://code.wvlegislature.gov/48-14-801/ |
| 15. What are the withholding limits for non-employees? |
|
Same as for employees, unless the withholding notice specifies to take the entire amount |
| 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).) |
|
Prorate |
| 17. When does your state require employers to send notice of an employee's termination? |
|
Promptly |
| 18. How long should an employer retain the order after the employee's termination? |
|
There is no specific requirement for retention of paper document. |
| 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)) |
|
$1 per payment |
| 20. Provide your state's statutory citation. |
|
W. Va. Code §§48-14-406, 48-14-407, 48-14-408, 48-14-409, 48-14-410, 48-14-412 |
| 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.) |
|
No |
| 22. Does your state law require employers to report lump sum payments? If yes, provide the statutory citation or rule. |
|
Yes, if the lump sum is a bonus. (WV Code §48-14-408(10)) |
| 23. Does your state have a threshold amount for a lump sum to be reported? |
|
$100.00 and above |
| 24. Does your state citation or rule provide how long the employer must hold the lump sum? |
|
(WV Code §48-14-409) Time for implementing withholding is no later than the first pay period or first date for the payment of income. |
| 25. Is the Income Withholding Order (IWO) used for lump sums? |
|
Yes |
| 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.? |
|
Yes, Writs of Suggestion or, if appropriate, a QDRO. |
| 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? |
|
Yes, 50% may be withheld. |
| 28. If the lump sum is not earnings as defined by the CCPA, does your state limit the withholding/attachment? |
|
No |
| 29. What is your state's Medical Support Statute? |
|
WV Code §48-12-101 et seq. |
| 30. What is your state's Reasonable Cost Definition? |
|
WV Code §48-12-101 - Reasonable Cost means the child's portion of the medical insurance premiums cannot exceed 5% of the gross income of the parent who provides the coverage. |
| 31. What is the Health Coverage Expense? |
|
To calculate whether the medical expense is under the limit of support to withhold, the employer and plan administrator should use the cost of adding the child(ren) to the existing coverage or the difference between employee-only and family coverage. |
| 32. What is the Income Withholding Limits for Support? |
|
WV's limits are 10% below the Federal FDCPA for child support withholding. WV Code §48-14-408 |
| 33. What is the Priority of Withholding? |
|
The current month's child support obligation shall receive priority and be deducted in full prior to any deduction for payment of either current medical support or health insurance premium. |
| 34. What is the priority of health coverage if the income withholding limit is less than the total costs of ordered coverage? |
|
If the amount for the premium exceeds the limitations on withholding, the child may not be enrolled. |
| 35. According to 45 CFR §303.32(a), what are your state options? |
|
Only the obligor (non-custodial parent). |
| 36. What does your state do if an employee contests 45 CFR §303.32(c)(5)? |
|
The employee should contact the Issuing Agency at the address and telephone number listed on the NMSN. |
| 37. What is the reporting timeframe (non-magnetic media only)? |
|
Within 14 days of hire date |
| 38. What are the required data elements? |
|
New Hire Information: Employee name, Employee address, SSN, Date of hire, Employer name, Employer address, and FEIN. |
| 39. What are the methods of transmission? |
|
Online, Electronic, Mail, Fax, Mobile App (available for iPhone and iPad devices on the App Store, and for Android devices on Google Play) |
| 40. Does your state require independent contractor reporting? |
|
Yes. Report independent contractors when payment for the services is $2,500 or greater |