We understand that there are many things about child support that are complicated and confusing. We are here to help you understand and navigate this process.
Below are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions by category:
Effective Summer of 2024, payments received toward government-owed debt will be distributed (pass through) to parents who previously received cash assistance instead of reimbursing the state general fund for assistance services provided to the parents.
Starting January 1, 2022, if you receive cash assistance for your child or children through the CalWORKs program, the amount of the current month’s child support payment that is “passed through” to you may change from $50 up to $100 if you have one child, and up to $200 if you have two or more children living in the home. This is because the law that covers this “pass through” has permanently changed.
Learn more in our Quick Tip video below:
DOES NOT mean that the parent ordered to pay support is paying more. The law changed to let families have more money while the government keeps less for reimbursement benefits.
DOES NOT mean that you will receive less cash assistance through the CalWORKs program.
IS NOT a mistake, and you do not have to return any of the increased amount you may receive.
If the current child support collected is less than $100 for 1 child, or less than $200 for 2 or more children, you will only receive the amount collected, NOT the increased amount.
There is no action required and the increase will automatically start for child support collected on or after January 1, 2022. For more information, please view the infographic available in English, Spanish, and an accessible version below:
A notice advising that California Child Support Services will no longer be issuing paper checks for payments.
To ensure our customers have access to their funds quickly and securely.
Yes, you should visit our State Disbursement Unit page and enroll in Direct Deposit or the Electronic Payment Card program. If no action is taken, you will automatically be mailed an Electronic Payment Card.
As soon as possible, but no later than 21 days from the date on the official notice that you received by mail.
Save money and time. These are the safest ways to receive payments.
Visit our State Disbursement Unit page, create a profile or log in using your Participant ID and date of birth (DOB), then enroll in Direct Deposit.
Visit the State Disbursement Unit page, create a profile or log in using your Participant ID and date of birth (DOB), then enroll in the Electronic Payment Card program
The GoProgram is the provider of the new Electronic Payment Card. The new Electronic Payment Card is also called the Way2Go Card.
If you enrolled in Direct Deposit or Electronic Payment Card you may disregard this notice.
It may be based on a system delay. If you already enrolled in Direct Deposit, and received a confirmation of enrollment, you may shred the Electronic Payment Card
View instructions on how to activate payment card online below:
View instructions on how to activate payment card via mobile app below:
Contact Way2Go at 844-318-0740 to issue a new/replacement card.
The card will be issued to you via mail in 7-10 business days.
Visit the State Disbursement Unit page, log in using your Participant ID and DOB, then enroll in direct deposit.
There are specific criteria for receiving an exemption. The Electronic Payment Exemption Request form will need to be completed and submitted. You can download the request form in English or Spanish below:
The Exemption Review should be completed within 7-10 business days from the date you submit the request and required documentation.
If you choose not to enroll in Direct Deposit, you will automatically be mailed an Electronic Payment Card.
You will need to enroll in the Electronic Payment Card program before you cancel your Direct Deposit.
You will need to enroll in Direct Deposit before canceling your Electronic Payment Card.
Yes. If you live outside the United States, you can still enroll in Direct Deposit or get an Electronic Payment Card. See below for more information.
Alana Island, Austria, Australia, Azores, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Canary Islands, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, French Guiana, Germany, Gibraltar, Greece, Guadalupe, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, India, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madeira, Malta, Martinique, Mayotte, Mexico, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Reunion, Romania, Saint Barthelemy, the French portion of Saint Martin, Saint Pierre et Miquelon, San Marino, SEPA, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.
To enroll in direct deposit as an international resident, complete the international direct deposit form and follow the enclosed instructions. This form is available in English and Spanish below:
The international Electronic Payment Card is administered by an independent bank and can be used anywhere Mastercard is accepted. To receive an international Electronic Payment Card, complete the EPC enrollment form and follow the enclosed instructions. This form is available in English and Spanish below:
Your GoProgram User ID is NOT your Participant ID. During the registration process on the GoProgram website, you created a unique User ID. If you cannot remember your User ID, follow the prompts on the GoProgram website for “Forgot User ID”.
You must create a PIN to activate your card. If you did not create a PIN for your card during the registration process, please visit the GoProgram website or app to PIN your card.
The most common mistake is the Participant ID has been entered incorrectly. Some of the common participant ID entry errors include:
If you are still having problems, please contact the child support office that is handling your case. Use our map tool to find your local office.
Your PIN resets at midnight, please try to log back in the following day. If it still does not work, please call the number on the back of your card to reset your PIN.
You can also use the website or mobile app to reset your PIN.
The mobile app is available for iOS and Android and can be downloaded from the app store on your mobile device. The app is called Go Program Way2Go Card.
Child support is the ongoing contribution of money to help pay for the living and medical expenses of a child or children until they are adults. The amount that must be paid is called the child support order.
Under federal and state law, BOTH parents have a legal duty to provide financial support for their children.
The goal is to have children share in the standard of living of both parents, so the court may order either or both parents to pay child support.
The child support office in your county or region can provide the following services:
Learn more in our Quick Tip video below:
Child support offices do not:
Learn more in our Quick Tip video below:
Child support amounts are based on a review of both parent’s monthly income and the amount of time the child spends with each parent.
The Child Support Commissioner or Family Law Judge sets the amount of a child support order.
All income is taken into consideration and can be money, property or services, including:
Watch our Instructional video below to learn more:
Yes, health insurance must be included in any child support order for all cases. If health insurance is not immediately available, the court will order both parents to provide insurance when it does become available.
Watch our Quick Tip video to learn more:
Under California law, you pay child support until the child turns 18, or 19 if the child is unmarried and still attending high school full time. Under special circumstances, the court may order child support to continue after the child is an adult.
If past-due support (called arrears) is still owed, the local child support agency may continue to enforce collection until the balance including interest is paid in full.
Child support case information is confidential and not open to the public. However, all documents in court files or county recorder files are public records and can be viewed by the general public.
Either parent can enroll in services or open a child support services case, as can a child’s legal guardian. If you already have a court order, Child Support Services offers neutral assistance with every part of the process, keeps records, and helps both parties stay on track. If you do not have an order, enrolling in services means your local child support agency will help you locate the other parent, establish legal paternity/parentage if required, get a court order and see that it is enforced in every state and many foreign countries.
Our new simplified enrollment form makes it quick and easy to enroll for child support services.
You are protected by law – California Child Support Services will never release your personal information to the other parent in your case without a court order. However, some documents that contain your personal information may be filed with the court. If you have domestic violence concerns, be sure to tell your caseworker. Please email DCSSOCPA@dcss.ca.gov for a list of domestic violence shelters and resources in your area.
California Child Support Services is required by law to send child support case information to the federal government. In an interstate case, that information will be released to child support agencies in other states. However, if you are a victim of family violence a “non-disclosure order” can prevent the sharing of your personal information to the other parties involved. To protect this information you must fill out the Family Violence Questionnaire and send it to the child support agency handling your case – but you must have been granted a restraining order or “good cause exception” from cooperation.
If you don’t have a restraining order or good cause exception and are still concerned for your safety and the safety of your children, you can get your own non-disclosure order through the courts. Contact your attorney of the Family Law Facilitator in your county for help.
If you have a child support order that was set by a court but have not asked a local child support agency for help enforcing the order, that case is called “private”. Please note that private cases do not automatically go to Child Support Services once a court order is filed.
In private cases, the State still processes the payments made by withholding wages through the employer of the parent paying support.
If you have a private case and want help, either with enforcement or with keeping track of your payments to prove your compliance, you have the right to open a case with Child Support Services.
Watch our Quick Tip video below to learn more:
Yes. It is a good idea to open a case, whether you are the parent paying or receiving child support. Your caseworker will keep records, direct you to other resources that might benefit you, and be able to assist you if your situation changes. Child support can be complicated, and your local agency is there to help you navigate the system.
If you do not receive public cash assistance, there is an annual fee to cover costs.
When you enter into a court order with payments for child and/or spousal support – you must complete a “Child Support Case Registry” form and an “Income Withholding for Support” form. Your attorney or a Family Law Facilitator can help you with this.
The Income Withholding Form must be given to your employer, and a copy needs to be mailed to the California State Disbursement Unit at:
California State Disbursement Unit (SDU)
P.O. Box 980218
West Sacramento, CA 95798-0218
Watch our Quick Tip video to learn more:
Child support orders can be enforced anywhere in the United States, and in many foreign countries. Contact your local child support agency if you or the other parent moves after a child support order is filed, or if you need to file an interstate case.
Two laws, called the Full Faith and Credit for Child Support Orders Act and the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act, prevent a state from changing another state’s court order.
Watch our Quick Tip video below to learn more:
For international participants in a child support case, the contact number is 1-408-273-0073.
Under federal law, the California Department of Child Support Services is required to charge a yearly service fee for certain, non-assisted cases. If the fee applies to you, you will receive an annual service fee assessment notice in October for each case to which the fee applies. This annual fee changes from $25 to $35 on cases that received payments equal to or more than $550 when assessed on 10/1/2020, and annually thereafter.
Contact your local child support agency. You have only 30 days to respond, and your local agency can help you fill out the “Answer” form and file it with your county’s Superior Court. A Family Law Facilitator can also help you with this.
Watch our Instructional video below to learn more:
The child support case will proceed, and the court will set the order at the amount proposed in the Summons and Complaint. After the order is set, you will have to ask the court for permission to change it. If you want your facts and financial situation taken into consideration before the amount is set, you must respond.
Yes. If you respond to the Summons and Complaint with an Answer and disagree that you are legally responsible for the child or children named, or disagree with the amount of child support requested, you will be given a court date.
Yes. If both parents agree on a child support amount, you can sign a legal agreement called a “Stipulation.” This document establishes legal responsibility for the children and becomes the official child support order.
Watch our Quick Tip video below to learn more:
Stipulations vary with circumstances, but basically say that the parent being asked to pay support agrees that he or she is the child’s parent, is willing to pay child support (and health insurance when available) and is willing to let the court file the order without appearing in court.
If you have multiple child support cases, there are limits to the amount of money that can be taken from your paycheck. In these cases, the money that can be taken is “allocated” among your cases based on a priority system. This allocated amount may not be the entire amount due, and in that case the balance due becomes “arrears” and interest will be charged until the total is paid off.
No. A child support order can only be changed by a new order or a stipulation approved by the court. Either parent has the right to ask for a review of the child support case if there is a change in circumstances of either person.
Changes that can result in a new support order include a substantial increase or decrease in either parent’s income, a change in custody, or a change in the amount of time the child or children spend with each parent.
Watch our Quick Tip video below to learn more:
The State of California takes refusal to pay child support very seriously. Enforcement actions on those not paying support can include:
In extreme cases, the court may find the parent “in contempt of court” which can result in arrest and imprisonment, but this is used only when all other enforcement tools have failed.
Watch our Quick Tip video to learn more:
Yes. By law, you can EITHER receive the court ordered child support OR the cash assistance, but not both. Starting January 1, 2022, if you receive cash assistance for your child or children through the CalWORKs program, the amount of the current month’s child support payment that is “passed through” to you may change from $50 up to $100 if you have one child, and up to $200 if you have two or more children living in the home. This is because the law that covers this “passthrough” has permanently changed.
Under Title 45, Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), section 302.31(a)(2), states must enforce spousal support for a spouse or former spouse who is living with the children provided two conditions are met. First, enforcement shall occur only if a support obligation has been established for that spouse and second, only if the child support obligation is being enforced under the state plan (as opposed to a “private” case). Under this rule, California Child Support Services can only collect spousal support while collecting current support for a minor child. Once all the children have legally emancipated, California Child Support Services can no longer collect or enforce a spousal support order.
This applies to current support only. Spousal support has nothing to do with the collection of past due child support, or “arrears”.
Title companies play a critical role in the collection of child support. Child support agencies are required by state regulations to file liens and abstracts of judgment in all cases where there is an active child support order. Because the abstracts do not reference a specific property, they do not appear on the initial title search of the property address. They will appear during the final title search of the paying parent’s name and/or social security number. Whenever that parent buys, sells, or refinances a piece of real estate, the title company is required to contact California Child Support Services to determine whether obligations exist. The parent’s support order takes precedence and their children may benefit in some manner from the transaction.
Watch our Quick Tip to learn more:
The title company will request a “demand” from the creditor (Child Support Services will be the creditor that recorded the judgment lien or abstract lien). The child support agency will prepare a statement of how much is owed on the judgment. This is known as the “demand”. In the case of an on-going child support order if the debtor is behind in his or her payments the demand will be for the amount of the overdue support.
If there is a delay in settling the demand it is important to understand that the amount owed may change, and an updated demand may be needed. Failing to make additional payments toward child support obligations will cause the amount owed to increase.
The title company should submit a “demand request” and a copy of the abstract or lien to the attention of the Demand Desk of the local child support agency. The written demand request must be submitted using company letterhead with telephone and fax numbers. The title company must include the following information:
The agency will perform research using the information you provide to verify the facts of any abstract or lien and then report back to the title company. Incomplete information may result in the request being delayed.
Abstracts and support liens do not attach to a particular piece of property, so it is important to perform name searches on the parties involved in the transaction. If the Title Company waits until the end of a transaction to do this, they may experience a delay. The following best practices may help avoid delays at the close of escrow:
We will need to verify the abstract or support lien and then determine how much support is owed before we can issue a “demand”. We understand the urgency and will work diligently to provide a response to your demand request.
If you are selling or refinancing property and there is money coming to you, that money must be applied toward the child support demand until the arrears have been paid in full. Child Support Services will send a “matured installment” if current child support continues to be owed, or a “release of lien” if the arrears have been paid and current child support is no longer being charged. These documents will be recorded by the escrow company after payment on the demand is made.
If you are buying a piece of property and owe past due support, one of the following could happen:
Please make all checks payable to the California Department of Child Support Services. For proper identification the title company should include your full name, child support case file number, and Social Security number on the face of the check.
Payment Address:
State Disbursement Unit
P.O. Box 989067
West Sacramento, CA 95798-9067
If you have a property lien but are current with your child support payments and have no past due obligations, a matured installment is sent to the escrow company in response to the demand request. This document indicates that all support obligations are paid up to date.
This is determined on a case by case basis. If you are paying regularly by wage assignment or show a steady pay history and the arrears are not excessive, we will consider subordination of the lien to the new first trust deed (mortgage). Otherwise, we will demand payment of the arrears before subordination or matured installment will be issued.
If there are insufficient funds to pay the entire debt owed, a partial payment may be accepted and the remainder of the debt subordinated to the first trust deed (mortgage). California Child Support Services legal staff will make this decision after a thorough review of the parent’s payment record and consultation with the person ordered to receive the support.
Yes! California law provides that when a grantor quitclaims their interest to another party, they transfers their entire interest including all the defects and equities which could then have been asserted against them.
This means that when the debtor quit claimed the property interest the person who took title obtained took it subject to the recorded lien and Child Support Services can still assert a support lien on that property. This frequently happens in divorce cases, where the child support payer quitclaims the property in dissolution of marriage to the former spouse, who takes the property subject to the support liens. If the escrow involves a property where quitclaim deeds have been filed, a name search will need to be performed for the grantor of the quitclaim to avoid problems and future litigation.
No, as long as the child support debt is owed the lien or abstract remains active. The California Civil Code exempts support judgments from renewal requirements and the support order or judgment is enforceable until paid in full. Title companies should not limit the number of years they research since there is a possibility that the client could have a child support obligation on adult children.