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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. Watch video What Is Child Support to learn more.

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. Watch Cash Assistance: Why Comply with NYC Child Support.


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Custodial Parents


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Noncustodial Parents


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Employers


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Parent Resources


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Community-Based Organizations (CBOs)


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Videos and How To Videos Summary


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Child Support Calculator (how much might I pay/receive)


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Child Support Mobile App

For a basic summary of our services, see:

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.

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Click a topic, or press the enter key on a topic, to reveal the details.

Open a New Case

Learn more about Domestic Violence

Prepare for Court

Child Support Handbooks

Manage Your Case

Make a Payment

Modify Your Case

Debt Reduction and Job Services

Enforcement Actions

Child Support Information Sessions

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Get answers to questions many parents have. Contact us for assistance with case specific questions.

Contact Us

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Child Support is ready to help you. Click a topic, or press the enter key on a topic, to reveal the details.

Download the Contact Us flyer as a pdf
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Email

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

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

Text Messages

Want to receive a text message reminding you of child support and court appointments and information about applicable programs? Send us an email at dcse.cseweb@dfa.state.ny.us with the subject "Texts". Include your full name and child support case ID OR birth date, and the phone number. You can also text CHILD to 917-694-2952 to enroll.

Opt-in to receive Child Support Text Messages

SMS/MMS Text Messaging Terms of Service

By providing your personal or other wireless number to the NYC Office of Child Support Services (OCSS), you are providing consent for OCSS to send you informational pre-recorded calls and/or text messages from or on behalf of OCSS at the number(s) provided. Your consent to receive calls or texts is not a condition for services or benefits.

To block all text messages from this number, reply with the word "stop". Text back "unstop" to receive messages again. By replying “stop” you may continue to receive text messages from other DSS/HRA/DHS telephone numbers. Carrier standard message and data rates may apply.

Resources

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