How does Office of Child Support Services work?

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 getting 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

Am I eligible for Office of Child Support Services?

To be eligible for child support services, you should be able to answer yes to these questions: Are you a single parent or legal guardian of a child under the age of 21? Are you primarily responsible for the child’s day-to-day life?

What do I need in order to apply to Office of Child Support Services?

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

How do I Apply to Office of Child Support Services?

There are two ways to enroll in child support. If you’re a Cash Assistance or non-Cash Assistance client , enroll through the NYC HRA Child Support Mobile App . Download the app for free through the App Store (Apple) and Google Play (Android) in English, Spanish, Korean, Arabic, Russian, Traditional Chinese, and French. If you have an ACCESS HRA account for SNAP, Cash Assistance, or Medicaid, you can use the same login information. For non-Cash Assistance clients only , enroll through the New York State Online Enrollment form Connect to your child support account if you already have one, or create one to get started Download and complete the enrollment form and mail it to: Office of Child Support Services PO Box 830 Canal Street Station New York, NY 10013

Office of Child Support Services

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.

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 getting 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 [email protected]

Determine your eligibility

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

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

Immigration status requirements

You don’t have to be a citizen to get this service. You won’t be asked about your immigration status.

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

How to apply

There are two ways to enroll in child support.

If you’re a Cash Assistance or non-Cash Assistance client, enroll through the NYC HRA Child Support Mobile App.
- Download the app for free through the App Store (Apple) and Google Play (Android) in English, Spanish, Korean, Arabic, Russian, Traditional Chinese, and French.
- If you have an ACCESS HRA account for SNAP, Cash Assistance, or Medicaid, you can use the same login information.
For non-Cash Assistance clients only, enroll through the New York State Online Enrollment form
- Connect to your child support account if you already have one, or create one to get started

Apply online

Download and complete the enrollment form and mail it to:
Office of Child Support Services
PO Box 830
Canal Street Station
New York, NY 10013

Download the form

Get help

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

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

Sign up for 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!

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

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

Call the 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.

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.

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Last Updated April 23, 2025

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