Child Support

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Coronavirus (COVID-19) Alert

With the ongoing pandemic, the New York City Office of Child Support Services (OCSS) encourages custodial and noncustodial parents to send an email to dcse.cseweb@dfa.state.ny.us to request a customer service phone appointment or for information about a child support case.

OCSS offices are open.

If you are a custodial parent receiving Cash Assistance and are scheduled for an OCSS appointment, you will be mailed a notice with the details of your appointment. Please complete, sign, and return the referral and participate in the telephone interview to keep your full benefits. You can also complete the referral using the NYC Child Support – ACCESS HRA mobile app.

Court Information

New York State Family Courts are open and offering limited in-person assistance for health and safety reasons. Family Court is accepting support establishment, modification and enforcement petitions, stipulated agreements, and motion requests. 

Visit the New York City Family Court website for more information.

Need something else?

  • Family Court to get help with custody, visitation, and guardianship of children
  • Mediation to get help from a professional mediator for conflicts between parents about custody and visitation
  • Parenting Support

The Office of Child Support Services (OCSS) helps both parents provide for the economic and social well-being, health, and stability of their children. 

OCSS helps with:

  • Locating noncustodial parents;
  • Establishing parentage and child support orders;
  • Collecting and distributing child support payments; 
  • Modifying and enforcing child support orders; and 
  • Assisting noncustodial parents with debt management and employment.

All custodial parents, guardians, and caretakers are eligible for child support services regardless of their income or immigration status. 

Review information for all potential child support applicants about getting child support safely. 

Learn how to get counseling, support, and shelter for victims of Domestic Violence.

The OCSS website has multiple pages dedicated to the various populations they assist, including:

The OCSS website also includes the answers to frequently asked questions about child support, including, but not limited to, how you can:

Visit the Child Support Services website for more information.

Parents who need to modify their court order due to a change in circumstance can discuss their options with an OCSS worker and can enter into an agreement voluntarily before an appearance in court. This service is called Modifying Orders Through Stipulation (MOTS) and can be discussed with an OCSS worker.

In summary, for an agreement:

  • An OCSS worker drafts the agreement using the same guidelines as the court and helps the parents gather the required documents. 
  • The approved agreement package is filed in court for a hearing to be scheduled. 
  • Usually only one court appearance is required for the Support Magistrate to make sure the parents understand their rights and responsibilities and to issue a modified order on consent.

To learn more, schedule an appointment with an OCSS Customer Service representatives by emailing dcse.cseweb@dfa.state.ny.us with subject: MOTS. Be sure to include your child support case ID number in the email.

Parents and guardians can check their account balance online. 

Noncustodial parents can make child support payments using a credit or debit card online or by phone.

Online

Learn how noncustodial parents can make child support payments.

Learn how custodial parents can manage their account online, including how to receive payments.

By Phone

  • Agency: New York State Office of Children and Family Services
  • Division: Child Support Payments
  • Phone Number: (929) 252-5201
  • Business Hours: Monday - Friday: 9 AM - 5 PM

You can sign up to receive text message updates regarding your case by texting “child” to (844) 429-7512. 

This phone number is not monitored for incoming messages. If you need help from OCSS, you can use one of the other ways to contact OCSS.

Use any method below to contact OCSS about child support obligations, payments, enforcement measures, and related issues. Always include your child support case ID number with any written correspondence you send to OCSS. 

By Email  

dcse.cseweb@dfa.state.ny.us

Include a description in the subject line such as “appointment request.”

By Phone

  • Agency: New York State Office of Children and Family Services
  • Division: Child Support Helpline
  • Phone Number: (888) 208-4485
  • Business Hours: Monday - Friday: 8 AM - 5:30 PM
  • Staff is available through the automated phone system during business hours. For help with child support, choose General Information from the automated list of options.

By Mail

NYC OCSS
P.O. Box 830
Canal Street Station
New York, NY 10013

In Person

OCSS Customer Service Walk-In Center
151 West Broadway, 4th Floor (between Worth and Thomas Streets)
New York, NY 10013
Business Hours: Monday - Friday, 8 AM - 7 PM (except holidays)

OCSS Family Court offices can assist non-Cash Assistance clients with their application for child support services. Staff can also assist custodial parents with filing modification and violation petitions. Staff can also assist noncustodial parents with a variety of case inquiries.

OCSS Borough Offices can assist with applying for or receiving Cash Assistance. 

Find Family Court and Borough Office locations.

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