Tip:
Highlight text to annotate it
X
(Music)
No matter what happens in the world,
nothing changes the fact that my kids are really important to me.
I want to do everything I can for them.
When my ex and I split that meant child support payments...
Which was a struggle... but I was able to make them while I was working.
And then I got busted, and I had to serve eight years,
which really messed things up.
Because I didn't do anything about it
for 2 years I was still racking up payments.
$340 a month, over 4 grand a year
just because I didn't understand the system.
If I hadn't of asked for a change of my payment schedule,
I would've been over 30 grand in the hole when I got out,
and on top of that
I would still need to be making my monthly child support payment.
When I found that out I thought they might as well just keep me in there,
because basically it looked liked I was screwed
and I'd never be able to catch up with the payments.
Well guess what?
Being locked up is considered a major change of circumstances.
Ya... no kidding!
Well this change of circumstances is good news in a way though...
because it means, if you are supposed to pay child support
right now while you're in,
there is a possibility that you might be able to get your payments reduced
or even stopped temporarily,
and the state may forgive your debt to them,
ANNNNNND,if you are getting out soon
DSHS Division of Child Support will work with you
to try to find a way to make your payments affordable,
so you don't lose 50% of your paycheck and can make a living,
don't get buried in debt,
don't lose your driver's license,
and don't go underground, break the law and end up locked up again.
But don't make my mistake and think this all happens automatically.
YOU have to work to make it happen.
And it's still not a guaranteed deal.
You need to take the time to fill out the contact form,
give them some paperwork,
and then they will review your information to see if you
meet all the requirements.
It takes some work on your part, but I think it's worth it.
So here's your choice.
Do nothing and keep racking up child support payments
that you can't afford now
and won't be able to when you go home.
Or fill out the simple 2 page contact letter to see if
you meet the requirements for Child Support to review
and possibly get your payment schedule modified because of
your change in circumstances.
Ya I know what you're probably thinking.
I used to think Child Support was against me too.
And that may have been true in the past, I don't know.
But, when I got a hold of them
they really wanted to work with me
to make this all work the best for everybody,
especially my kids.
I can remember looking at all of the things I had to face.
Child support... time in jail... rehab... payments to the State...
losing my license... It was crazy.
This is why it is so important to stay in contact with your
Support Enforcement Officer when you get out,
because they can help you... a lot.
When I got out I got a decent job working with a contractor, and Child Support worked
with me so my monthly payments are affordable until I can get things under control.
So rather than looking at all the problems as one big pile of junk...
I had to break them down into small things
that could be taken care of one at time.
See that way, at least things won't get any worse.
Child support, you know, the outgoing money, was my first concern.
I wanted to try and get it lowered while I was in,
and then keep it reasonable when I got out so I could help my kids some,
and still make a living.
Hey! I'll be the first to admit it, a lot of it is about money,
or the lack of.
But the bottom line really is, my kids.
Now I didn't get to see them at all when I was in
and I still don't get to see them much, which doesn't seem fair to me.
But you know what?
That doesn't have anything to do with Child Support Enforcement.
The courts deal with when you see your kids.
Child Support only deals with the money.
If you've got visitation problems, you've gotta take those up with the courts,
not Child Support.
My number one issue was definitely money.
I couldn't afford those payments while I was in,
and I was sure I couldn't afford that big of payment plus...
the back pay when I got out.
But just blowing it off and not doing anything about it
doesn't make it all go away.
It just gets you in deeper.
And it's not my kids fault for all of this,
so there's no reason for me to take it out on them and just quit paying.
That would be really unfair to them.
I want to be able help my kids, even if it is only a little bit right now.
So, let's take a look at that big pile of junk you're facing
and figure out where to begin.
Now the most obvious is child support... THE MONEY.
As I said before, a change in payment doesn't happen automatically
because you are locked up.
Whether you just got in, have been in for part of your sentence,
or are just getting out,
I suggest you get one of their contact forms and fill it out today.
Don't put it off, because the longer you wait the more money you will owe,
and that won't change.
See their form is kind of like a lottery ticket.
See, if you don't buy a ticket, you can't win the money.
Well if you don't fill their form out,
you don't have any chance of getting your payments reduced.
The form paid off big for me because while I was in,
my payments were reduced from $340 a month to 100 bucks.
And when I got out and got my job, I started out at 125 bucks a month,
which really saved me.
Oh it's still a challenge, but I'm inching my way out.
Anything's better than the 30 grand in back pay I would have owed.
So that's the first step.
You fill out the form, get them the paperwork they need.
If you do, and you meet the requirements,
man....... Your life could be soooo much easier.
Keep in mind though that even after filling out the form it takes time
and you still need to work with the Division of Child Support
to follow the process through to the end.
And then keep in touch with them while your in, once you are on work release,
and even when you are out in the community.
As a result, I was able to start working
and over time increase the financial support for my kids.
I just wish somebody had told be about the contact form earlier
and maybe saved me some hassles and money.
But better late than never I guess.
Get the form, fill it out, and turn it in.
You've got nothing to lose, and if you're like me,
a whole lot to gain.
Remember the bottom line is that we have to help ourselves so...
we can ultimately help our kids.
Because after all isn't that what this is all about.... our kids?
I better get back to work.
I hope I helped you some.
You can get the contact letter from your corrections officer
and from any Division of Child Support office.
Or simply call 1-800-442-KIDS....
That's 1-800-442-5437
They are also available online at
Childsupportonline.wa.gov