Child support services

Office of Child Support Services (OCSS) | NYC Human Resources Administration (HRA)

1. How it Works

August is Child Support Awareness Month! The NYC Office of Child Support Services (OCSS) puts children first. It helps mothers, fathers and guardians open a child support case, establish a child support order, and collect child support income that can make a difference in a family and child’s life. Parents who pay child support can get assistance with finding a job and managing their child support debt, if they have debt. Other services are also available.

The Office of Child Support Services’ Training Institute offers free online information sessions on topics that are important to parents as well as community-based organizations. See the list of upcoming sessions and register today!

Office of Child Support Services

• You don’t have to be a citizen to get this service. You won’t be asked about your immigration status.
• This service doesn’t help with custody or visitation but it can guide you to services that do, such as mediation.
• Get a child support order even if the other parent can’t afford to pay right now. They can get help finding work and may qualify for financial protections.
• Parents who are behind on their child support payments may qualify for a program to lower their debt.
  • Noncustodial parents can also get connected to job services if they are unemployed or underemployed.
  • Avoid extra credit card fees: make child support payments on the ACCESS HRA Child Support mobile app instead of the NYS Child Support website.
  • your Cash Assistance benefit being reduced by 25%
  • loss of Medicaid coverage for yourself
  • loss of eligibility for some rental assistance programs.
  • MOTS uses the same guidelines as Family Court. The agreement is then reviewed in Family Court with all parties present.
  • A modified order is usually issued after one hearing.

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  Related

  More ways to get help with this program

  Visit the website

  Visit the Child Support Services website to learn more about available services.

  Visit the Noncustodial Parents page for services available to noncustodial parents, such as work and lowering debt.

  Visit the Family Court website for information about custody and visitation.

  Email Child Support Services

  Email [email protected] to request a customer service phone appointment or get an email response.

  Please provide your name, Child Support case number, a description of your concern(s), phone number, and the best time to reach you. Write “Requesting a Customer Service Appointment” in the subject line of your email.

  Call 311

  Ask for Child Support.

  Call the Helpline

  Call NYS Child Support Helpline at 888-208-4485 (or 866-875-9975 if you have trouble hearing) for more information. Automated information is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Your Social Security number and PIN are required.

  Visit the walk-in center or a borough office

  Visit the OCSS Customer Service Walk-in Center:
  151 West Broadway, 4th Floor
  (between Worth and Thomas Streets)
  New York, NY 10013
  Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM (except holidays)

  Visit the OCSS Family Court office in your borough.

  2. Determine your eligibility

  To be eligible for child support services, you should be able to answer yes to these questions:

  1. Are you a single parent or legal guardian of a child under the age of 21?
  2. Are you primarily responsible for the child’s day-to-day life?

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  3. What you need to include

  When you go to your interview, you’ll need to bring the following documents:

  • Your completed application
  • Your child’s birth certificate
  • A recent photo of the other parent is helpful but not required

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  4. How to apply

  Apply online using the NYC ACCESS HRA Child Support Mobile App

  • Enroll in child support via your phone
  • Pay child support by credit, debit or PayPal with no fees
  • Complete child support forms and apply to debt reduction programs
  • Scan and upload required documents
  • Learn more about the mobile app at NYC ACCESS HRA Child Support Mobile App or download the app for free from the App Store (Apple) and Google Play (Android.)
  1. Download and complete the enrollment form.
  2. Mail it to:
     Office of Child Support Services
     PO Box 830
     Canal Street Station
     New York, NY 10013

  Come back to it later.
  We can send you a link to this page to help you get back to it when you’re ready.

  By providing your email address or phone number, you agree to be contacted by the City of New York regarding your ACCESS NYC public benefit screening results. Your activity on ACCESS NYC is anonymous, but providing your phone number may identify you and reveal that you used the website. To find out more about how the City might use the data you share with ACCESS NYC, visit the Terms of Use for NYC.gov, and Privacy Policy for NYC.gov.

  More ways to get help with this program

  Visit the website

  Visit the Child Support Services website to learn more about available services.

  Visit the Noncustodial Parents page for services available to noncustodial parents, such as work and lowering debt.

  Visit the Family Court website for information about custody and visitation.

  Email Child Support Services

  Email [email protected] to request a customer service phone appointment or get an email response.

  Please provide your name, Child Support case number, a description of your concern(s), phone number, and the best time to reach you. Write “Requesting a Customer Service Appointment” in the subject line of your email.

  Call 311

  Ask for Child Support.

  Call the Helpline

  Call NYS Child Support Helpline at 888-208-4485 (or 866-875-9975 if you have trouble hearing) for more information. Automated information is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Your Social Security number and PIN are required.

  Visit the walk-in center or a borough office

  Visit the OCSS Customer Service Walk-in Center:
  151 West Broadway, 4th Floor
  (between Worth and Thomas Streets)
  New York, NY 10013
  Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM (except holidays)

  Visit the OCSS Family Court office in your borough.

  Last Updated August 1, 2024