Child Support Services
The Child Support Program provides custodial parents with assistance in obtaining financial support and medical insurance coverage for their children by locating parents, establishing parentage, establishing or modifying support orders, and collecting and disbursing child support payments.
Enroll in child support services
Any parent, guardian, caretaker of a child, or child who needs support can enroll in child support services.
Anyone who applies for public assistance (Family Assistance or Safety Net Assistance) may be referred for child support services without having to enroll. Medicaid applicants may also be referred for child support services to establish parentage and obtain medical support.
A public assistance parent, caretaker relative, or Applicant/Recipient may refuse, without penalty, to cooperate with parentage establishment and child support enforcement requirements when such cooperation would be against the best interests of the child.
Access child support services safely
New York State's Child Support Program is committed to making this process as safe as possible for parents and their children. It is important to have both parents contribute to the economic well-being of their children.
Establish Parentage
Establishing parentage is the process of determining the legal parents of a child.
Establish Order
The Child Support Program can help a parent file a petition in Family Court for an order of support.
Modify Order
If either parent's circumstances change significantly, the Child Support Program can help the parent file a petition in Family Court to request a modification (change) to the existing child support order.
Support Collection
Once the Family Court establishes a child support order, the local Support Collection Unit (SCU) ensures that the order is carried out correctly. This process includes collecting, accounting for, applying, and disbursing the money.
Support Enforcement
Federal and New York State laws require the local SCU to enforce a child support order when the other parent does not pay. The SCU enforces a child support order automatically through payroll deductions.
Non-IV-D Services
A Non-IV-D Services case is a case in which a court has determined that income withholding is required and neither parent has applied for, or is receiving, child support services through their local Support Collection Unit.
TA Recipients
Information for parents who receive child support and Family Assistance or Safety Net Assistance.
Supervised Visitation
When deemed appropriate and safe, the Supervised Visitation program seeks to restore or create responsible co-parenting in a self-directed environment independent from an outside agency and produce an appropriate child-raising ethic in families experiencing parental conflicts.