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The Office of Child Support Services (OCSS) helps both parents support their children by:

  • Locating noncustodial parents
  • Establishing parentage and child support orders
  • Collecting and distributing child support payments
  • Modifying and enforcing child support orders
  • 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. 

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 interview to keep your full benefits.

You can also complete the referral using the NYC Child Support – ACCESS HRA mobile app.

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

The OCSS Training Institute will have a "Child Support Issues for Veterans and Active Military" online information session on Tuesday, October 29th from 10 AM to 11 AM.

Register for the online information session.

In addition, on November 19th and 20th, you can speak with a Customer Service Representative to review your case and learn about the resources and programs that may be available.

To schedule a phone appointment, email dcse.cseweb@dfa.state.ny.us and put "AF Case Review" in the subject line. Include your full name, child support case ID and date of birth in the body of the email. 

You can also meet with a Customer Service Representative in person at:

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 - 6 PM (except holidays)

Learn more about the child support info sessions for veterans and active-duty military personnel.

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

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

Visit the Child Support Services website for more information.

The OCSS ACCESS Child Support Mobile App is another easy way to access child support services. The mobile app lets you:

  • Enroll in child support via your phone
  • Pay child support by credit, debit, PayPal, and Venmo (allow 2-3 business days for payment processing)
  • Scan and upload required documents 
  • Submit a challenge or debt reduction form

Learn more and download the Child Support App.

Parents who need to modify their court order due to a change in circumstance can discuss their options with an OCSS worker. You 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.

The process includes:

  • An OCSS worker will draft 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.

If you don't have a child support order, use the OCSS Child Support Agreements option and decide on the terms of your child support order before you go to Family Court. 

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 full name, date of birth, and child support case ID number in the email.

Learn more about how to change or stop your child support order.

Parents and guardians can check their account balance online. 

Noncustodial parents can make child support payments using a credit or debit card online, by mobile app, 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: Human Resources Administration
  • Division: Office of Child Support Services Credit Card Payments
  • Phone Number: (929) 252-5201
  • Business Hours: Monday - Friday: 9 AM - 5 PM

The Office of Child Support Services’ Training Institute offers free information sessions online. These sessions help parents/guardians, community-based organizations, city agencies, and professionals better understand child support and the services available to custodial and noncustodial parents.  

Each information session is held on Tuesdays from 10 AM to 11 AM.

Topics include what’s new in child support, getting started, debt reduction, and administrative enforcement actions, among others.  

Learn how to register and see upcoming information sessions.

Use any method below to contact OCSS about child support obligations, payments, enforcement measures, and related issues.

Always include your full name, date of birth, and 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." Make sure to include your full name, Case ID, and date of birth.

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 - 6 PM (except holidays)

OCSS Family Court offices can assist non-Cash Assistance clients with their application for child support services. Custodial parents can get help 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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