Child Support Enforcement - FAQs:

I don't have a child support order. Can the Child Support Enforcement (CSE) Program help me?

You need to work with your state or local Child Support Enforcement (CSE) office to try to establish a child support order. State Web sites usually give addresses and telephone numbers for local offices. Links to the state CSE Web sites are at: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/cse/extinf.html

The CSE agency will need to find out if paternity has been established and if you know where the other parent lives and works.

If paternity has not been established, the CSE agency can help with that. For more information on establishing paternity: http://faq.acf.hhs.gov/cgi-bin/childsupportenforcement.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=8

For information about some of the benefits of establishing paternity: http://faq.acf.hhs.gov/cgi-bin/childsupportenforcement.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=692

If you don't know where the person lives or works, a caseworker can use state and Federal locate information to try to find him or her. For information about: locating a person for child support: http://faq.acf.hhs.gov/cgi-bin/childsupportenforcement.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=6

The support order will include the amount of money that the parent should provide, and it will include provision for medical support. The order will be based on state guidelines for support orders. To find information about how child support orders are decided: http://faq.acf.hhs.gov/cgi-bin/childsupportenforcement.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=128

If the parent lives in another state, and has not lived in your state, the CSE agency may have to ask the state where he or she lives to establish the order.

If there is not enough information to identify the parent, the CSE agency may not be able to establish an order. Give your caseworker as much as you can of: his/her full name; where and when he/she was born, and what his/her parents' names are. Your case worker may be able to find the Social Security Number which is an important tool for finding someone.

Your CSE agency is the best source of information about state laws and practices and about your case. If the Web site does not tell you what you need to know, you can call the State CSE agency to ask where your local office is. State CSE agency telephone numbers and addresses are at:

English: http://ocse.acf.hhs.gov/int/directories/index.cfm?fuseaction=main.extivdlist
Spanish: http://ocse.acf.hhs.gov/int/directories/index.cfm?fuseaction=main.extEspanolIVDAll

For general information about the Child Support program: http://faq.acf.hhs.gov/cgi-bin/childsupportenforcement.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=694

For information about state laws: http://faq.acf.hhs.gov/cgi-bin/childsupportenforcement.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=33

I am not satisfied with how my child support case is being handled. What do I do?

The Child Support Enforcement (CSE) Program is run by states and counties and they are the best source of information about your case. If you are working with the agency, but are not getting support payments, contact the state CSE agency and ask them what more can be done. The state should be able to pull up the case and may have suggestions about other things to try. State CSE agency telephone numbers and addresses are at:

English: http://ocse.acf.hhs.gov/int/directories/index.cfm?fuseaction=main.extivdlist
Spanish: http://ocse.acf.hhs.gov/int/directories/index.cfm?fuseaction=main.extEspanolIVDAll

A number of states are developing secure sites for child support case information. Links to State CSE agency web sites are available on our Child Support web site at: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/cse/extinf.html

Many of them provide a link for asking questions. Most of them list the telephone numbers and addresses of the local CSE offices as well. In difficult cases you might write the state and Federal regional offices. If you write, include identifying information - such as both parents' names, case numbers, social security numbers - and ask them to review the case. Regional office contact information is at: http://ocse.acf.hhs.gov/int/directories/index.cfm?fuseaction=main.extregofficemap

Some cases are very difficult to enforce. If the other parent is able to work for cash, to hide income or assets, to move often, for example, the CSE agency may not be able to enforce the order. In these cases, provide as much information as you can. Tell the caseworker everything you can about where he or she lives and works and anything else that might help the caseworker to help you and your family. If you are not working with the CSE agency and would like to apply for services, you can ask your state or local CSE office how you can apply. Telephone numbers and addresses of your local office can be found on most state Web sites. Again, we link to those at: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/cse/extinf.html

For information about:

The role of the Federal Office:
http://faq.acf.hhs.gov/cgi-bin/acfrightnow.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=15

Fraudulent transfer:
http://faq.acf.hhs.gov/cgi-bin/acfrightnow.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=17

Bankruptcy and child support:
http://faq.acf.hhs.gov/cgi-bin/acfrightnow.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=12

A parent who is not working, has no assets:
http://faq.acf.hhs.gov/cgi-bin/acfrightnow.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=30

A parent who is evading the obligation:
http://faq.acf.hhs.gov/cgi-bin/acfrightnow.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=36