On October 22, the federal Office of Child Support Enforcement (OCSE) expects to go live with its highly anticipated Communication Center—a new enhancement to the Child Support Portal. OCSE recently presented a demonstration of the new Communication Center during an APA webinar, which is available on demand until August 31, 2022, and free for APA members.
The new centralized, secure communication system will facilitate secure message and document exchange among employers and child support agencies, including state child support agencies and the OCSE.
The improvements to OCSE’s information exchange process were implemented at the request of stakeholders—including APA—to simplify secure information exchange related to child support. APA encourages employers to use the new Communication Center when it becomes available, to take advantage of the efficiency and simplicity of the new communication system.
To use the Communication Center, employers must be registered for the Child Support Portal. New users can register online and can contact the OCSE at employerportal@acf.hhs.gov for assistance.
Registered employers must set up communication preferences within the Portal corresponding to different employer-related child support responsibilities and actions, including: e-IWO/IWO/termination, general case/program questions, lump sum payment reporting, verification of employment, medical support/terminations, new hire/multistate employer reporting/quarterly wage, and payment inquiry.
According to the OCSE, employers that use third parties might need to set up the communication preferences for the third party within the Portal. Employers with multiple FEINs can manage relationships within the Portal and indicate which employer profile will be associated with the Communication Center.
To learn more about federal and state laws, regulations, and information to keep your company's payroll operations in compliance, check out Payroll Source Plus!
Mavanee Anderson, Esq., is Editor of PayState Update and Payroll Information Resources for the APA.
