Child Support Assistance/Enforcement

Child Support Assistance/Enforcement

Provider: CALIFORNIA STATE DEPARTMENT OF CHILD SUPPORT SERVICES

The department provides child support assistance and enforcement of child support orders in the State of California. Services include child support assistance, child support wage assignment assistance and enforcement, access to the federal parent locator service, paternity establishment, reverse paternity actions and Compromise of Arrears Program. Services are provided through the State Disbursement Unit and in cooperation with Local Child Support Agencies; see the entry L A County Child Support Services Department.

The department does not assist with divorce, custody or visitation issues.

Child support assistance includes a toll-free information line, online forms and program information, an ombudsman program and a case complaint process.

Wage assignment (garnishment) assistance is provided through the State Disbursement Unit (SDU). Employers of court-ordered parents have received instruction letters with a variety of electronic payment options. Employers with questions may call the SDU toll-free number for information.

Payments, including those from private support orders, may also be made through credit card or direct deposit; however, all payments must be sent to the SDU for distribution. Payments must be received before the end of each month due.

Custodial parents who cannot locate the non-custodial parent, have access to the federal parent locator service. The County support agency can assist with parent location, paternity testing or reverse paternity actions.

Compromise of Arrears Program (COAP) in certain child support cases, the law allows for a parent to pay less than his or hers total child support debt owed to the government because their child received public assistance during a time that the parent did not pay the court ordered child support. This is called a compromise of arrears. The local Child Support Agency determines the noncustodial parent's eligibility for the COAP program.

Modification to the Child Support amount can be made by noncustodial parents, custodial parents, local child support agencies and child support agencies from other states. Modification can be made if circumstances change such as an individual is laid off or fired from a job; get a new job or additional job; increases or decreases in income; custody or visitation changes; become disabled; go to jail or prison; or deployment to active military service. Individuals should contact their local Child Support Agency for information. APPLICATION PROCEDURE Call, write or visit the website for information or service. FEES/PAYMENT SOURCE There are no fees for services.
Languages
Spanish
Service Condition Fee

Free

Free

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