• There are several options for an employer to make an electronic payment. The option you choose will be dependent upon the number of employees with wage withholding, your payroll software capability, and your banking preferences.
  • Option 1: EFT (Electronic Fund Transfer) using the CA SDU website: www.casdu.com.

    Using the SDU website, the employer informs the SDU how much child support is being withheld and for which employees. The employer then authorizes the SDU to take that amount of money out of the employer's bank account. This option is also available through our telephone voice response system (1-866-325-1010).

    This type of EFT uses the ACH network, but is considered an ACH debit. Payments can be made using:

    • Visa/Mastercard
    • a Checking account
    • a Savings account

    Employers who wish to use this option must register using the website. To enroll in this program, click here. There are no fees for this service nor is special software required. All transactions are secured using a PIN number.

    Employers may also want to use the SDU’s Bulk File Upload feature. Once enabled, Bulk File Upload enables employers to combine all support payments into a single transaction. For Bulk File setup assistance, please contact the Electronic Help Desk at 1-866-325-1010.

    Why choose this option?

    • Choose this option if you do not have the ACH EFT/EDI ability to pay electronically.
    • Choose this option if you allow debits to your bank account.
  • Option 2: EFT (Electronic Fund Transfer)/EDI (Electronic Data Interchange) using the standard child support addendum record - ACH (Automated Clearing House) credit.

    The employer initiates the transmission of a file to the SDU which contains all of the employer’s child support withholding data. This type of EFT transfers the withheld support payments along with data via the Automated Clearing House (ACH) network. This option requires the use of a standard record specification for child support payments.

    To enroll in this service, the employer needs to coordinate with the SDU. Complete the SDU EFT Enrollment Form and return it to the address specified. For more information on EFT/EDI, please contact the SDU Electronic Help Desk at 1-866-325-1010. You can also find more information about it at: http://ecsp.nacha.org/. Note that in many instances, there is a bank cost associated with this option. Be sure to check with your bank.

    Why choose this option?

    • Choose this option if you do not allow debits of your bank account for security purposes.
    • Choose this option if you have payroll software from one of the major software providers; most large software products support child support EFT/EDI payments.

Website Support

• Employers can enter their child support payment information directly into the website. How it works: The employer enters the employee's Participant ID number and the payment amount. The process retains employee data from the previous payment, which will be displayed on subsequent visits. The data can then be updated at any time.

• The website provides employers the ability to transmit employee payment information in a simple, bulk file upload process. How it works: Employers submit their employee child support withholding payments with an attached file of the payment information.

• To access the website, enter your Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN) which will be authenticated against the statewide employer database. Once identified, a personal identification number (PIN) will be generated and mailed to the address on file. Enter the FEIN and PIN numbers to gain access the features. If you need assistance, contact the SDU at: 1-866-325-1010.

• If you are required to pay your tax or employment obligations to the Franchise Tax Board (FTB) or the Employment Development Department (EDD) using EFT, then California law also requires you to make your child support wage withholding payments by EFT.

Employer General Information

• Both state and federal law require all wage withheld child support payments be sent to a central entity within each state. In California, the State Disbursement Unit is responsible for the collection and disbursement of all employer child support wage withholding payments.

  To submit payments electronically see “Employer Electronic Payments” or send child support wage withholding payments to:

  • State Disbursement Unit
    P.O. Box 989067
    West Sacramento, CA 95798

• Employers benefit in several ways:
  • Payments are sent to a single location – the SDU collects all wage withholding payments
  • Payments can be submitted using a credit card
  • Multiple payments can be combined into a single transaction
  • Payments can be made electronically, using the ACH credits, or by requesting an automatic withdrawal from your bank account, thereby increasing accuracy, security, and convenience

• All of your California child support withholding can be included in a single check. Along with the check payable to “California State Disbursement Unit”, in the same envelope, include the following:
  • Employee's full name
  • Employee's social security number
  • Court order/case number
  • Case Identifier if the withholding order is not from an LCSA (as provided by the SDU to you) – NOTE: See “FL-195 Data or Non IV-D Data Acquisition” below for additional information.
  • Amount withheld from each employee
  • Date withheld

  We encourage you to use the available electronic payment options so your business can take advantage of secure, accurate and prompt processing of child support withholding payments.

• Yes. You must comply with income withholding orders from other States. The instructions on the wage withholding order will specify where to mail the payment. Please do not send payments ordered by other states to the California SDU.

• All wage withholding payments must now be directed to the SDU.

  How it works:

  • Information contained in the Order/Notice to Withhold Income for Child Support (FL-195) form is used to process court ordered child support payments that were formerly sent directly to an individual (custodial party).This information helps the SDU process the payments promptly and accurately.
  • FL-195 forms should be sent to the SDU only when the child support payment was previously sent directly to an individual (custodial parent, obligor, payee). In this case, send the FL-195 to:
    
    State Disbursement Unit
    P.O. Box 980218
    West Sacramento, CA 95798-0218
    
    Note: This address is NOT for payments.
  • The SDU will provide you with a Case Identifier number. Be sure to include the Case Identifier number with each payment sent to the SDU.
  • The SDU will inform the Custodial Party that future payments will come from the SDU.

  Custodial parties will be offered the options of receiving payments by direct deposit or a no-fee electronic payment card. Payments can also be received by mail.

  See “FL-195 Data or Non IV-D Data Acquisition” below for additional information.

• State and federal law require all wage withheld child support payments must be processed through the SDU. Assistance is available for employers by calling the SDU at 1-866-325-1010.

FL-195 Data or Non IV-D Data Acquisition

• FL-195 is the California Judicial Council form number assigned to and located on the Order/Notice to Withhold Income for Child Support served upon employers to enact wage withholding of employee wages in payment of child support. Common terms for this legal document are: wage assignment, garnishment order, and withholding order.

• Individuals who do not have an open case with a local child support agency but have wage withholding orders prepared by private attorneys.

  Under state and federal law, employers must send all wage withholdings payments including those from private support orders to the SDU.

• Information contained in the Order/Notice to Withhold Income for Child Support (FL-195) form is used to process court ordered child support payments that were formerly sent directly to an individual (custodial party).This information helps the SDU process the payments promptly and accurately. For more information, see: FL-195 Data Acquisition Letter, Second Notice.

• No. Please do not send wage withholding forms from LCSAs or other states to the California SDU. These need only be sent for wage withholdings that were initiated by a private party.

  FL-195 forms should be sent to the SDU only when the child support payment was previously sent directly to an individual (custodial parent, obligor, payee). Send the FL-195 to:

  • State Disbursement Unit
    P.O. Box 980218
    West Sacramento, CA 95798-0218
    Note: This address is NOT for payments.

• If the FL-195 is unreadable, outdated or if you don’t have the original FL-195, complete the Child Support Case Information Form (DCSS 0116) attached to the notice you received. A combination of an accurate, readable copy of the FL-195 form and DCSS 0116 form is acceptable.

• Yes. After the initial submission of an FL-195, whenever you receive a new FL-195 from a private party send a copy of the FL-195 to the CA SDU. An employer may also complete and submit a Child Support Case Information form (DCSS 0116) in place of an FL-195. This will ensure the payments can be processed timely and accurately.

• FL-195 information provided by employers is confidential and is not shared with any other individual or agency unless required by law.