Child support services

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

1. How it Works

The Office of Child Support Services (OCSS) makes children the priority through helping mothers, fathers and guardians in opening and maintaining child support cases. A child can get child support until age 21 even if the other parent isn’t involved in the child’s life. Parents who pay child support can get help finding a job and managing their child support 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.

  • If you’re a custodial parent applying for or get cash assistance on your child’s behalf – not responding to your child support notice or missing a child support appointment might lead to:

    • your Cash Assistance benefit being reduced by 25%

    • loss of Medicaid coverage for yourself

    • loss of eligibility for some rental assistance programs.

  • Parents who don’t have a child support order yet can use the OCSS Child Support Agreements process before they go to Family Court to get their child support order.

  • Modifying Orders through Stipulation (MOTS) is a program that can reduce a child support order based on both parents’ incomes.

    • 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.

  • For assistance, please call the phone number on your appointment notice or email OCSS at dcse.cseweb@dfa.state.ny.us

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?

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

4. How to apply

Here are your options.

Apply online

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.)

Apply by mail

  1. Download and complete the enrollment form.

Mail it to:
Office of Child Support Services
PO Box 830
Canal Street Station
New York, NY 10013

5. Have more questions?

Ask our AI for free anytime.