On September 29, a simplified process of paying child support both for individuals and for employers with income withholding orders will begin operating in Kansas.

The Kansas Payment Center will give people making child support payments and employers who are complying with income withholding orders and garnishments one place to send all Kansas child support payments. Those receiving child support payments will be able to inquire about the status of their payment through an automated telephone line operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The toll-free number is 1-877-572-5722. The number can also be used by those making child support payments to check their payment history.

Notices of the September 29 beginning date have been sent to employers with income withholding orders, to those making child support payments, and to those receiving child support payments. Anyone whose payments are due on or after that date should send their payments to the following address: Kansas Payment Center, PO Box 758599. Topeka, Kansas 66675-8599.

Central processing of child support payments was a key element of federal welfare reform, enacted in 1996. The requirement to set up a central payment center covers not only payments in all cases administered by the Kansas Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services, called IV-D cases, but also child support payments in most other Kansas cases. Payments being sent to child support agencies in other states should not be sent to the payment center.

The Kansas Payment Center is expected to be especially helpful for employers with income withholding orders who presently may have to send checks to several different counties. Presently, child support payments in Kansas are processed in all 105 counties.

Among options for employers making payments is to submit payments electronically through the banking network known as the Automated Clearing House.

"This will be a simplified process for employers who have had to shoulder a lot of the responsibility for collecting child support from those delinquent with their payments," said Jim Robertson, director of Child Support Enforcement for SRS. He estimated that having the payment center will save Kansas businesses up to $3 million a year through efficiencies, including postage and check handling costs.

Tier Technologies Inc., Walnut Creek, Calif., was awarded the contract to develop the Kansas Payment Center. SRS worked with the Kansas Office of Judicial Administration (OJA) to develop the Request for Proposal for the contract.

Page Last Updated: May 29, 2001