Child Support

If you owe court-ordered child support, the required amount will be deducted from your unemployment benefit payment and sent to the county child support collection agency. Questions about any deduction should be directed to an official in that child support agency.

Minnesota Statute allows the Minnesota Unemployment Insurance (UI) Program specific authority to intercept a portion of unemployment benefits for the payment of child support obligations. This applies only to withholding of benefits for the purpose of meeting an applicant's child support obligation. If changes occur regarding a child support deduction, it is your responsibility to notify the county that an updated court order is needed before the UI Program can take any action to adjust the amount being deducted. Child Support cannot be changed or inactivated on the word of the applicant, only by a court order.

UI Program intercepts do not involve child support paid directly to the parent or guardian. We only intercept when the payments are paid to the public child support enforcement agency that then pays the custodial parent or guardian.

The percentage of benefits withheld is determined by the county child support enforcement agency. The amounts vary up to a maximum of 65 percent of the weekly benefit amount.

Spousal support will not be withheld from unemployment benefits.