Income withholding is a deduction of a payment for child support from a parent’s income. An order for income withholding can be from a court or administratively ordered by a child support agency—such as the child support division of the state’s Attorney General’s office.
The parent's employer often transmits the money directly to the child support agency.
In West Virginia, income withholding is a common method used to collect child support payments. When a parent is ordered to pay child support, the amount can be deducted directly from their wages through an income withholding order. This order can be issued by a court or administratively by a child support agency, such as the Bureau for Child Support Enforcement (BCSE) under the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources. The employer of the parent who owes child support is responsible for withholding the specified amount from the parent's income and sending it directly to the child support agency, which then disburses the funds to the custodial parent. Employers are required to comply with the income withholding order and may face penalties for failing to do so. This process ensures a more reliable and consistent payment of child support, helping to secure the financial support necessary for the well-being of the child.