INCOME WITHHOLDING ORDER

Employers may receive an Income Withholding Order for Support (IWO) from a California local child support agency, another state’s child support agency, or a private party. The federal government has extended the IWO form’s validity through August 31, 2027. California Child Support Services is working to update the expiration date and will be completed by the end of 2026. Please continue to use the existing IWO form, as it is still valid and must continue to be honored by employers.

From a Child Support Agency

Cases managed by child support agencies in any state are called “4-D” cases, referring to Title IV-D of the Federal Social Security Act, the law that created Child Support Services agencies. These IWOs are issued by the child support agency and do not require a judge’s signature.

Private Cases

If the case is not being managed through a child support agency, the family court will issue the IWO. This is called a “Non-4-D” case. In this circumstance, you the employer will be served with the documentation by a private party, either the person who will be receiving the support or that person’s representative.

Your Role

The employer’s responsibility is the same in both types of cases except on one point. Since Non-4-D orders do not originate within the child support system, the California State Disbursement Unit, which processes all child support payments, needs additional information to assure the payment is processed accurately. The IWO form is located below and on the Employer Forms page. View the IWO Factsheet to learn more:

• IWO Form
• IWO Factsheet
• Hoja informativa sobre IWO

  See the Employer Handbook for more information on income withholding.