DCSS: Division of Child Support Services
CP: Custodial Parent, the adult that has legal custody of the child(ren)
NCP: Non-Custodial Parent, the parent obligated to pay child support
SDU: State Disbursement Unit- the organization that processes child support payments
Paternity: The legal relationship between a father and child
Obligor: The person who owes support (NCP/Non-Custodial Parent)
Obligee: The person who receives child support (CP/Custodial Parent)
TANF: Temporary Assistance for Needy Families
Pass-through: Money which may be paid to CPs who are receiving TANF
VAP: Voluntary Acknowledgement of Paternity—a form, that when signed by both the mother and the alleged biological father, establishes paternity. The biological father’s name is allowed on the child’s birth certificate
Administrative Appeal: a written request made by the custodial or non-custodial parent for an administrative hearing on an action taken by DCSS. These appeals are heard separate from HFS by the Bureau of Administrative Hearings
“The following Frequently Asked Questions involve questions submitted to DCSS in cases receiving IV-D services and are not intended to be meant as legal advice.”
Division of Child Support Services (DCSS) can establish paternity for your child, locate the non-custodial parent, obtain/modify a child support order, send an income withholding notice to the non-custodial parent’s employer for payroll deduction, deduct support from unemployment insurance benefits, send a medical support notice to enroll dependent(s) in health insurance coverage.
DCSS also can use the following methods to collect past due child support: Intercept federal and/or state tax refunds, deny a passport requested by the delinquent non-custodial parent, suspend/revoke the delinquent non-custodial parent’s professional and/or recreational license, suspend the delinquent non-custodial parent’s driver’s license, report the delinquent non-custodial parent to credit bureaus, place a lien on the delinquent non-custodial parent’s finances/real estate/personal property.
You can enroll online, or by completing the PDF version of the application. You also can visit your local regional office or call the child support call center.
back to top3. Are child support services through DCSS automatic when I get child support awarded to me in court?
No. Our services are not automatically provided unless you are receiving TANF services from the Department of Human Services. If you would like to apply, please see the question above “How do I enroll?”
back to top 4. Do I have to have child support services if I am receiving TANF or All Kids?If you are receiving TANF, you must cooperate with child support to receive full TANF benefits. If your children are receiving medical services through All Kids, you will be sent a questionnaire offering child support services automatically, but you do not have to use the service.
back to top 5. What is Paternity?Paternity is a legal relationship between a father and his child. Paternity must be legally established before any financial child support order can be obtained.
back to top 6. How do I establish paternity? What if I am not the father?If a legal order for paternity has been established, you will need to seek legal advice.