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Child Support Services
About the Office of Child Support Services (OCSS)
The Office of Child Support Services (OCSS) puts children first by helping both parents provide for the economic and social well-being, health, and stability of their children. OCSS serves parents and guardians, regardless of income and immigration status. The program helps tens of thousands of children every year by bringing more income into the home. OCSS collects more than $700 million a year on their behalf.
OCSS services include assistance with locating noncustodial parents, establishing parentage, establishing child support and medical support orders, collecting and distributing child support payments, and modifying and enforcing child support orders. Employment services and debt reduction programs are also available to noncustodial parents with a child support order.
Custodial parents receiving Cash Assistance are required to comply with OCSS pursuant to federal and New York State statutes. All other custodial parents may apply for OCSS services on a voluntary basis.
For a basic summary of our services, see Child Support Overview. Download our Annual Report.
Community-Based Organizations (CBOs)
Child Support Calculator (how much might I pay/receive)
Important Information
Persons with a disability who needs an accommodation to participate in a court proceeding or other court service, program or activity, learn more about accommodations. Persons requiring disability access for HRA services such as completing forms, customer service, or attending appointments, learn more about disability access.
Click a topic, or press the enter key on a topic, to reveal the details.
Open a New Case
- How to Enroll for Child Support Services
- Establishing Parentage
- Child Support for Parents Who Live Outside of New York State and learn more on the NYC Law Department website
- DNA Testing Services
- Child Support Standards Chart and Calculator
- Custody/visitation and Mediation Services
- Custodial Parents with a Divorce Decree
- Information for all potential child support applicants about getting child support safely in:
- Family Safety Questions (LDSS-5226)
Learn more about Domestic Violence
Child Support Handbooks
Manage Your Case
Make a Payment
Modify Your Case
Debt Reduction and Job Services
- Debt Reduction and Job Programs to Assist Noncustodial Parents in:
- Debt Reduction Programs
- Employment Services
- Mediation Services
Enforcement Actions
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Get answers to questions many parents have. Contact us for assistance with case specific questions.
Contact Us
Child Support is ready to help you. Click a topic, or press the enter key on a topic, to reveal the details.
Download PDF version in:
Send us an email at dcse.cseweb@dfa.state.ny.us. Include your full name and child support case ID OR birth date.
Phone Appointment
Email us at dcse.cseweb@dfa.state.ny.us to schedule an appointment with a Customer Service representative. Provide your full name, Child Support case ID or birth date, description of your concern(s), phone number, and the best time to reach you. Enter "Requesting a Customer Service Appointment" in the subject line of your email. Phone appointment requests will receive a response within 3 business days.
Call
Call the New York State Child Support Helpline at 888-208-4485 between 8 AM and 7 PM Monday to Friday (except holidays).
Mail correspondence to:
OCSS
PO Box 830
Canal Street Station
New York, NY 10013
In Person
In Person Customer Service Office Services
Speak with a child support worker at the OCSS Customer Service Walk-In Center about your case. You do not need an appointment.
OCSS Customer Service Walk-In Center
151 West Broadway, 4th Floor (between Worth and Thomas Streets)
New York, NY
Business Hours: Mon - Fri, 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM (except holidays)
In Person Intake Interviews for Custodial Parents Receiving Cash Assistance
Visit one of the OCSS Borough Offices. For locations, see our list of office locations.
In Person Intake Interviews for Custodial Parents Applying for Services and Not Receiving Cash Assistance & For Parents with General Questions About Their Child Support Case
Visit one of the OCSS Family Court Support Services Offices. For locations, see our list of office locations.
Paternity and Outreach
- Information about paternity> and DNA testing is available by phone at 929-221-5008.
- Parentage 4 Me (information about parentage)
Text Messages
Want to receive a text message reminding you of child support and court appointments and information about applicable programs? Text child to 844-429-7512. If you need to contact us, please use one of the contact methods above.
Resources
- Information about Family Court for individuals with disabilities
- New York City Child Support YouTube Channel
- New York State Child Support
- New York City Family Court
- Access HRA
- Access NYC
- Parenting Resources
- Federal Child Support
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