Nebraska requires all child support payments to flow through the Nebraska Child Support Payment Center (NCSPC), the state's centralized disbursement unit operated by the State Treasurer's Office. Parents can pay child support through eight distinct methods: income withholding (automatic wage deduction), online credit/debit card payments, electronic bank transfers, self-service kiosks at eight locations, PayNearMe cash payments at over 27,000 retail locations, Western Union at 51,000 agent locations, MoneyGram, and traditional mail-in payments. Approximately 70% of Nebraska child support is collected through automatic income withholding, making it the most common payment method.
Key Facts About Nebraska Child Support Payments
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Central Processing | Nebraska Child Support Payment Center (NCSPC) |
| Address | PO Box 82600, Lincoln, NE 68501-2600 |
| Walk-In Location | 421 S. 9th St, Suite 137, Lincoln, NE 68508 |
| Phone | 1-877-631-9973 |
| Income Withholding Rate | 70% of all collections |
| Credit Card Fee | 2.49% surcharge |
| Debit Card Fee | No fee |
| Employer Remittance | Within 7 business days of withholding |
| Employer Administrative Fee | $2.50 per month (may deduct from employee) |
| Interest on Arrears | Variable rate tied to 1-year Treasury bill auction |
Nebraska State Disbursement Unit Overview
The Nebraska Child Support Payment Center processes 100% of child support payments statewide and maintains complete payment records accessible to both parents. Under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 43-512.07, Nebraska operates the only State Disbursement Unit in the nation managed by the State Treasurer's Office rather than a social services agency. The NCSPC began operations on December 21, 2001, in compliance with the 1996 federal Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act requiring centralized disbursement units.
Parents must understand that paying child support directly to the other parent does not satisfy a court-ordered child support obligation in Nebraska. Only payments processed through the NCSPC receive official credit toward the support obligation. The State Disbursement Unit maintains detailed records of all payments, providing both parents with online access to payment history through the NCSPC website at childsupport.nebraska.gov.
Income Withholding: The Primary Payment Method
Automatic income withholding collects approximately 70% of all Nebraska child support payments directly from obligor wages before the paying parent receives their paycheck. Under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 43-1718.02, most Nebraska child support orders include automatic income withholding provisions requiring employers to deduct support payments from wages. This automatic deduction eliminates the risk of missed payments and ensures consistent, timely support delivery to custodial parents.
Employer Obligations Under Nebraska Law
Nebraska employers receiving income withholding orders must comply with specific statutory requirements. Employers must begin withholding during the first pay period after receiving the notice, remit payments to the NCSPC within seven business days of withholding, and may deduct an administrative fee of up to $2.50 per month from the employee's paycheck. Under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 43-3342.03(4), all employers with more than 50 employees must remit child support payments electronically.
Failure to comply with income withholding orders carries significant penalties. Courts may sanction non-compliant employers $25 per day, up to $500 per incident, under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 43-1724. Additionally, employers who fail to withhold income as directed become liable for both the accumulated amount that should have been withheld and any additional state-imposed penalties.
Employee Protections
Nebraska law protects employees from adverse employment actions based on income withholding orders. Employers cannot discharge, refuse to hire, or take disciplinary action against employees solely because of child support withholding orders. Compliance with a valid withholding order discharges the employer's liability to the employee for the withheld portion of income.
Online Payment Portal: Credit and Debit Card Options
The Nebraska Child Support Payment Center provides a secure online payment portal at childsupport.nebraska.gov where paying parents can make immediate credit or debit card payments. Debit card transactions incur no additional fees, while credit card transactions carry a 2.49% surcharge fee. Parents can set up one-time payments or configure recurring automatic payments through the online portal.
To make an online payment, parents need their Agency Related Person (ARP) ID number, which uniquely identifies their child support case. Parents who do not know their ARP ID can text "code" to 402-205-0116 or call 1-877-631-9973, option 3. The online portal allows parents to view payment history, check current balances, and download payment coupons for mail-in submissions.
Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT)
Parents can establish automatic bank account transfers through the NCSPC's Automated Clearing House (ACH) system. Electronic Funds Transfer allows scheduling single transactions or recurring payments directly from a checking or savings account. Parents can authorize automatic withdrawals by completing the Automatic Withdrawal (AW) Authorization Form available on the NCSPC website or by calling 1-877-631-9973, option 3.
The EFT option provides several advantages: no transaction fees, automatic payment scheduling preventing missed payments, and electronic confirmation of payment receipt. Parents receive notification when funds are successfully transferred, and the NCSPC posts payments within one to two business days of withdrawal.
Self-Service Kiosk Locations
The Nebraska Child Support Payment Center operates eight self-service kiosks throughout the state where paying parents can make immediate payments using cash, debit cards, credit cards, personal checks, business checks, or money orders. Kiosk locations accept multiple payment forms in a single transaction, providing flexibility for parents who prefer in-person payment options.
Kiosk Payment Details
| Payment Method | Fee |
|---|---|
| Cash | No fee |
| Debit Card | No fee |
| Credit Card | 2.49% surcharge |
| Personal Check | No fee |
| Business Check | No fee |
| Money Order | No fee |
Current Kiosk Locations (2026)
Nebraska maintains self-service payment kiosks at these locations:
- Lincoln: Nebraska Child Support Payment Center, 421 S. 9th St. (north entryway)
- Omaha: Hall of Justice, 1701 Farnam St. (3rd floor, Douglas County Clerk area)
- Papillion: Sarpy County Courthouse, 1210 Golden Gate Dr. (main entrance near Courtroom 1)
Additional kiosk locations exist throughout Nebraska. Parents can find the nearest kiosk by visiting the NCSPC website or calling 1-877-631-9973 for current location information.
Cash Payment Options at Retail Locations
Nebraska provides multiple cash payment alternatives for parents without bank accounts or those preferring cash transactions. These options allow immediate payment at thousands of retail locations statewide and nationwide.
PayNearMe Payments
PayNearMe accepts child support payments at over 27,000 retail locations including Casey's General Stores, Family Dollar, CVS, 7-Eleven, and Ace Cash Express. The fee for PayNearMe transactions is $1.99 per payment. Parents initiate PayNearMe transactions at paynearme.com/nebraskachild, receive a barcode, and present the barcode at a participating retailer to complete the cash payment.
The PayNearMe barcode can be saved to Google Pay or Apple Wallet for repeated use. The app tracks nearby payment locations and updates the barcode automatically. Parents can reuse the same barcode for future payments without generating new codes.
Western Union Payments
Western Union processes child support payments at 51,000 agent locations nationwide, including Walgreens, Sun Mart, Hy-Vee, Check 'n Go, Baker's, and EZ Money. Parents complete the blue Quick Collect form using Code City: NEBCHILD NE, State Code: NE. Western Union typically charges a variable fee based on payment amount.
MoneyGram Payments
MoneyGram accepts child support payments at locations including Walmart and CVS pharmacies. Parents should bring their ARP ID number and specify Nebraska Child Support when initiating the transaction. MoneyGram fees vary by location and payment amount.
U.S. Payments PaySite Kiosks
U.S. Payments operates PaySite kiosks at over 450 retail locations in 30 states, including Balls Foods, Homeland, and Schnucks supermarkets. The fee for PaySite kiosk payments is $3.50 per transaction. These kiosks accept cash payments for immediate posting to the child support account.
Mail-In Payment Procedures
Parents can mail child support payments to the Nebraska Child Support Payment Center at PO Box 82600, Lincoln, NE 68501-2600. Mail-in payments require including a payment coupon downloaded from the NCSPC website to ensure proper credit. Parents should write their ARP ID number on checks or money orders for accurate account posting.
Mail-in payments take longer to process than electronic options. Parents should allow seven to ten business days for mailed payments to post to their account. To avoid late payments, parents relying on mail should send payments at least two weeks before the due date.
Receiving Child Support Payments in Nebraska
Custodial parents receiving child support have three options for payment delivery: direct deposit, paper checks, or the Electronic Payment Card. The NCSPC recommends direct deposit or the Electronic Payment Card for fastest payment delivery.
Direct Deposit Benefits
Direct deposit transfers child support payments directly to the custodial parent's bank account through the Automated Clearing House (ACH) system. Direct deposit delivers payments up to three days faster than mailed checks because recipients avoid postal delivery delays. The NCSPC provides direct deposit service free of charge.
To enroll in direct deposit, custodial parents can sign up through the NCSPC website under "Individuals Receiving Child Support" or call 1-877-631-9973, option 3, to request an enrollment form. Parents need their bank routing number and account number to complete enrollment.
Electronic Payment Card
The Electronic Payment Card is a prepaid Visa debit card issued by the NCSPC. Child support payments deposit directly onto the card as funds are received. The card works anywhere Visa is accepted for purchases or ATM withdrawals. The NCSPC issues the card directly to custodial parents upon request.
Paper Check Delivery
Custodial parents who do not enroll in direct deposit or the Electronic Payment Card receive paper checks mailed from the NCSPC. Checks mail within one to two business days of payment receipt by the NCSPC. Mailing time adds approximately three to five business days before check delivery.
Enforcement of Late or Missed Payments
Nebraska employs multiple enforcement mechanisms against parents who fail to pay child support. Child support payments become due on the first of each month (unless the order specifies otherwise), become delinquent on the second day, and begin accruing interest after 30 days of delinquency under Nebraska law.
Interest on Child Support Arrears
Nebraska charges interest on past-due child support beginning 30 days after the payment becomes delinquent. The interest rate is tied to the average accepted auction price for one-year Treasury bills, with rates updated biweekly following Treasury auctions. Interest compounds annually on unpaid balances. The current interest rate chart is available on the Nebraska Supreme Court website.
Enforcement Tools Available
Nebraska Child Support Enforcement can pursue multiple collection actions against delinquent obligors:
- Consumer credit bureau reporting damages credit scores
- Federal passport denial for arrears exceeding $2,500
- Driver's license suspension
- Professional license suspension
- Tax refund interception (federal and state)
- Bank account levies
- Lottery winnings interception
- Contempt of court proceedings
- Criminal prosecution for willful non-payment
Modifying Child Support Payment Amounts
Nebraska allows modification of child support orders when material changes in circumstances occur. Under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 42-364.16 and Nebraska Supreme Court Rules § 4-217, a rebuttable presumption of material change exists when recalculating support under current guidelines produces a variation of 10% or more (but not less than $25) from the existing order.
Qualification Requirements
To qualify for modification, the changed circumstances must have lasted at least three months and be reasonably expected to continue for an additional six months. Either parent can request a review of the support order by contacting the Review and Modification Unit of the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services. The unit reviews both parents' incomes and calculates whether modification is warranted.
Parents seeking modification through the court must submit a Financial Affidavit for Child Support when filing the modification complaint and present a proposed Child Support Calculation at the hearing. The court will determine whether changed circumstances justify modifying the existing support order.
Contact Information and Resources
The Nebraska Child Support Payment Center provides multiple contact options for payment questions:
| Resource | Contact Information |
|---|---|
| General Customer Service | 1-877-631-9973 |
| Direct Deposit / EPC Questions | 1-877-631-9973, Option 3 |
| Online Portal | childsupport.nebraska.gov |
| ARP ID Text Request | Text "code" to 402-205-0116 |
| Walk-In Office | 421 S. 9th St, Suite 137, Lincoln, NE 68508 |
| Mailing Address | PO Box 82600, Lincoln, NE 68501-2600 |
| Child Support Enforcement | Nebraska DHHS Child Support Services |
| Review and Modification | Nebraska DHHS Review and Modification Unit |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best way to pay child support in Nebraska?
Income withholding is the most reliable method for paying child support in Nebraska, accounting for approximately 70% of all collections statewide. Automatic wage deduction ensures consistent, on-time payments without requiring manual action. Parents not subject to income withholding should set up recurring electronic bank transfers through the NCSPC online portal, which carries no transaction fees and provides automatic payment confirmation.
Can I pay child support directly to my child's other parent?
No, Nebraska law requires all child support payments to flow through the Nebraska Child Support Payment Center. Payments made directly to the custodial parent do not receive official credit toward the court-ordered support obligation. Only payments processed through the NCSPC satisfy legal child support requirements and create official payment records.
What fees apply to Nebraska child support payments?
Debit card payments and electronic bank transfers carry no fees through the Nebraska Child Support Payment Center. Credit card payments incur a 2.49% surcharge fee. PayNearMe charges $1.99 per transaction, and U.S. Payments PaySite kiosks charge $3.50 per transaction. Western Union and MoneyGram fees vary by location and payment amount. Employers may deduct up to $2.50 monthly for processing income withholding.
How long does it take for child support payments to post?
Electronic payments through the online portal post within one to two business days. Income withholding payments post within seven business days of employer remittance. Kiosk payments post immediately upon transaction completion. Mail-in payments require seven to ten business days for processing and posting. Direct deposit delivers funds to recipients up to three days faster than mailed checks.
What happens if I miss a child support payment in Nebraska?
Child support payments become delinquent on the second day of the month and begin accruing interest after 30 days of non-payment. Nebraska Child Support Enforcement may pursue collection actions including credit bureau reporting, license suspensions, tax refund interception, and wage garnishment. Courts may hold willfully non-paying parents in contempt, resulting in fines or incarceration.
How do I get my ARP ID number for child support payments?
Parents can obtain their Agency Related Person (ARP) ID number by texting "code" to 402-205-0116, which directs to the ARP ID lookup page. Parents can also call the Nebraska Child Support Payment Center at 1-877-631-9973, option 3, to request their ARP ID. The ARP ID is required for online payments, PayNearMe transactions, and other payment methods requiring case identification.
Can I change my child support payment amount in Nebraska?
Yes, Nebraska allows modification when material changes in circumstances produce a 10% or greater variation (minimum $25 difference) from the existing support order under current calculation guidelines. The changed circumstances must have lasted three months and be expected to continue six more months. Parents can request review through the Nebraska DHHS Review and Modification Unit or file a modification complaint with the court.
How do I receive child support payments faster?
Enrolling in direct deposit delivers child support payments up to three days faster than mailed checks by eliminating postal delivery time. The Nebraska Child Support Payment Center deposits funds directly into the custodial parent's bank account as soon as payments clear. Alternatively, the Electronic Payment Card provides immediate fund availability when payments post. Both options are free through the NCSPC.
What if my employer fails to withhold child support?
Employers who fail to comply with income withholding orders face penalties of $25 per day, up to $500 per incident, under Nebraska law. Non-compliant employers also become liable for the full amount that should have been withheld plus additional state penalties. Parents should report employer non-compliance to Nebraska Child Support Enforcement at 1-877-631-9973 for enforcement action.
Where can I pay child support in cash in Nebraska?
Nebraska offers multiple cash payment locations: PayNearMe accepts payments at 27,000 locations including Casey's, CVS, and 7-Eleven ($1.99 fee). Western Union processes payments at 51,000 agent locations including Walgreens and Hy-Vee. NCSPC self-service kiosks in Lincoln, Omaha, and Papillion accept cash with no fee. MoneyGram accepts payments at Walmart and CVS locations.