Lummi Nation Child Support Program
Child Support Payments
Learn how to make a child support payment, how income withholding works, and what may affect payment processing and distribution.
Make Payments Through the Child Support Registry
Direct payments to the custodial parent or child may be treated as gifts rather than official child support payments. Payments should be made through the Child Support Registry unless the controlling court order provides otherwise.
Making Child Support Payments
Child support payments may be made in person or mailed to the Lummi Nation Child Support Registry.
Many payments are also collected through income withholding from wages or other income.
Pay in Person
Office Payment Location
Cash and check payments are accepted during normal business hours.
Lummi Nation Child Support Program
Child Support Department
2665 Kwina Road
Bellingham, WA 98226
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
No after-hours payment or document drop-off is available.
Mail a Check
Mailing Address
Checks should be made payable to LIBC and mailed to:
Lummi Nation Child Support Registry
PO Box 734
Ferndale, WA 98248
Do not mail cash.
Direct Payments Between Parents
Paying the other parent or child directly may not be credited as an official child support payment.
Direct payments may be treated as gifts rather than registry child support payments.
Payments should be made through the Child Support Registry unless the controlling order specifically provides otherwise.
Income Withholding
Many child support payments are collected through income withholding.
An employer may deduct child support from a parent’s paycheck and send the payment to the Child Support Registry.
Why Payment Amounts May Vary
Employer pay schedules may divide the monthly support amount across:
- Weekly paychecks.
- Biweekly paychecks.
- Semimonthly paychecks.
- Other employer pay schedules.
What if the Full Amount Is Not Withheld?
A parent may have insufficient earnings for the full ordered amount to be withheld from a particular paycheck. Any unpaid amount may become past-due support.
What if Too Much Is Being Withheld?
Contact your assigned case manager promptly if you believe too much is being withheld from your paycheck.
The case manager can review the income-withholding information and the controlling child support order.
Receiving Child Support Payments
When Can I Expect a Payment?
Processing and delivery times depend on when the registry receives funds, business days, holidays, and postal delivery.
Why Might a Payment Be Less Than the Full Monthly Amount?
Many payments are collected through income withholding. Employer pay schedules may divide the monthly amount across several paychecks.
The paying parent may also have insufficient earnings for the full ordered amount to be collected at one time.
Past-Due Child Support
When the full ordered amount is not paid, the unpaid amount may become past-due child support.
Past-due support may remain enforceable after current child support ends.
Child Support and TANF
While Receiving TANF
Collected child support may be forwarded to the appropriate TANF agency to reimburse assistance paid to the family.
After TANF Ends
Current support may be paid to the family after TANF assistance ends.
Distribution of past-due support depends on when the debt accrued and which agency or person is legally entitled to receive it.
How the Payment Process Works
- A payment is made directly to the Registry or collected through income withholding.
- The Child Support Registry receives and processes the payment.
- The payment is applied according to the controlling order and applicable distribution requirements.
- The payment is distributed to the person or agency legally entitled to receive it.
Payment Frequently Asked Questions
Select a question below to expand the answer. Individual cases may involve different payment histories, court orders, or distribution requirements.
Where do I mail a child support payment?
Mail checks to:
Lummi Nation Child Support Registry
PO Box 734
Ferndale, WA 98248
Checks should be made payable to LIBC. Do not mail cash.
When can I expect a child support payment?
Processing and delivery times depend on when the registry receives funds, business days, holidays, and postal delivery. Contact the program for current payment-disbursement information.
Why might I receive less than the full monthly amount in one payment?
Many payments are collected through income withholding. Employer pay schedules may divide the monthly amount across weekly or biweekly paychecks. A parent may also have insufficient earnings for the full ordered amount to be withheld at once. Any unpaid amount may become past-due support.
What should I do if too much is being withheld from my paycheck?
Contact your assigned case manager promptly so the withholding and controlling order can be reviewed.
Does paying the other parent directly count as child support?
Direct payments to the custodial parent or child may be treated as gifts rather than registry child support payments. Payments should be made through the Child Support Registry unless the controlling order provides otherwise.
Will I receive child support while receiving TANF?
Collected support may be forwarded to the appropriate TANF agency to reimburse assistance paid to the family. Contact LNCSP or TANF for current case-specific distribution information.
What happens to support after TANF assistance ends?
Current support may be paid to the family after TANF ends. Distribution of past-due support depends on when the debt accrued and which agency or person is legally entitled to receive it.
Questions About a Payment?
Contact the Program
Payment questions may depend on the controlling court order, payment history, employer withholding, TANF status, and applicable distribution requirements.
Contact the program so your assigned case manager or payment staff can review your concern.
Call (360) 312-2235
General information only: Information on this page is not legal advice. LNCSP represents the interests of the Lummi Nation and does not represent either parent. Payment processing, income withholding, distribution, enforcement, and case outcomes depend on the facts, controlling court orders, applicable law, and the timing of funds received. If website information conflicts with the Lummi Code of Laws or a court order, the controlling law or order applies.