Child Care Subsidy Programs: Child Support Requirements

The Washington State Legislature passed a law that requires all applicants and consumers of child care subsidies administered under the Department of Early Learning to cooperate with the DSHS Division of Child Support, unless there is “good cause” not to cooperate. This law went into effect July 1, 2011. Read the law.

Good cause not to cooperate with child support enforcement

For Working Connections Child Care (WCCC), Seasonal Child Care (SCC) and other DEL child care subsidy programs, reasons to not cooperate with DSHS Division of Child Support may include:

  • The parent already established good cause for TANF/WorkFirst or medical assistance programs.
  • The parent has a current court order showing the child support amount ordered on behalf of the child who will receive the child care subsidy benefits and is receiving those payments.
  • The parent already complies with child support enforcement services, either voluntarily or to meet other public assistance benefits requirements.
  • Both parents live together in one household and the child who needs care is their child in common.
  • The applicant or consumer is a single-parent family and the other parent is deceased.
  • The applicant or consumer is a single-parent family and the other parent is incarcerated for one year or longer.
  • The applicants or consumers are both minor parents.
  • The DSHS division of child support does not have jurisdiction over the child support case, such as for tribal child support cases or cases outside of the United States.

How will I know if I need to cooperate with child support enforcement services?
When you apply, DSHS will ask you a series of questions to determine if you need to cooperate or if you meet one of the good cause reasons listed above. They will mail you a child support enforcement application packet to complete and return within 30 days if you must cooperate with the child support requirement.

Do I need a child support order for every child in my home?
No. Only the child you want subsidized child care for must have a child support order.

What happens if I don’t cooperate and I don’t have good cause?
If you do not cooperate or show good cause you will not be eligible for child care subsidy benefits.

What if I cooperate and then something happens that would be good cause?
You have the right to claim good cause exemption at any time during your certification period. Contact DSHS at 1-877-501-2233 to change the status of your case if you believe you have good cause not to cooperate with child support enforcement services.