Annual Service Fee Questions and Answers

On October 1, 2019, the fee increased to $35 and will be applied after more than $550 of support is collected and paid to the family.

Federal law requires each state to charge an annual service fee for child support services. The fee applies only when all these conditions are met:

1. The custodial parent has never received assistance through the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program (TANF).
2. Child support is being paid to the family.
3. More than $550 of support is collected and paid to the family during the federal fiscal year (October 1–September 30).

If you have received TANF benefits, in New York or in any other state, please call the Child Support Helpline at 1-888-208-4485 (TTY: 1-866-875-9975), Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–7:00 PM.

Who has to pay this fee? I received benefits in another state… I'm not sure what benefits I received… When does the fee apply? How do I pay the fee?

Can I pay the fee myself? What if I have more than one child support case? Will the fee be deducted every year? What if I think the fee was deducted in error?

Who has to pay this fee?

Custodial parents will be charged the fee only when all these conditions are met:

1. The custodial parent has never received assistance through the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program (TANF).
2. Child support is being paid to the family.
3. More than $550 of support is collected and paid to the family during the federal fiscal year (October 1–September 30).

I received benefits in another state. Do I still have to pay this fee?

Call the Child Support Helpline at 1-888-208-4485 (TTY: 1-866-875-9975), Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–7:00 PM. If you notify us that you received benefits in another state, you will not be charged the fee.

I'm not sure what kind of benefits I received. How can I find out if I have to pay the fee?

Contact the state or agency that provided the benefits to determine what type of benefits you received. Then call the Child Support Helpline at 1-888-208-4485 (TTY: 1-866-875-9975), Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–7:00 PM.

back to questions

When does the fee apply?

The fee applies only when all these conditions are met:

1. The custodial parent has never received assistance through the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program (TANF).
2. Child support is being paid to the family.
3. More than $550 of support is collected and paid to the family during the federal fiscal year (October 1–September 30).

How do I pay the fee?

You cannot pay the fee yourself. The fee will be deducted automatically from your child support payments after you have received $550 in support during the federal fiscal year (October 1–September 30).

Can I pay the fee myself?

No. The law requires the fee to be deducted automatically after you have received $550 in support during the federal fiscal year (October 1–September 30).

What if I have more than one child support case? Will I have to pay for each case?

Yes, if the conditions are met. The fee will be deducted for each case when more than $550 is collected and paid to the family during the federal fiscal year (October 1–September 30).

back to questions

Will the fee be deducted every year?

Yes, if the conditions are met. The fee will be deducted for each case when more than $550 is collected and paid to the family during the federal fiscal year (October 1–September 30).

What if I think the fee was deducted in error?

Contact the Child Support Helpline toll-free at 1-888-208-4485 (TTY: 1-866-875-9975).