Child support ensures that both parents contribute financially to raising their child, regardless of whether they live together. In New York City, child support services are available through the NYC Office of Child Support Services (OCSS) — and using them is free. Whether you are seeking support for your child or have been ordered to pay, this guide explains how the system works and what to expect.
What Is the NYC Office of Child Support Services (OCSS)?
The NYC Office of Child Support Services (OCSS), a division of NYC HRA, provides free child support services including:
- Locating the non-custodial parent
- Establishing paternity (legal parentage)
- Establishing a child support order through family court
- Enforcing existing child support orders
- Modifying orders when circumstances change
- Collecting and distributing support payments
Who Can Apply for Child Support Services?
Any parent or caregiver with legal custody of a child can apply for child support services. You do not need to be on public assistance to use OCSS — services are free for all NYC residents. If you receive cash assistance or Medicaid, you are generally required to cooperate with child support proceedings as a condition of benefits (with exceptions for domestic violence situations).
How to Apply for Child Support Services
Apply Online
Apply at nyc.gov/ocss through the online application portal. You can also manage your case, view payment history, and submit documents through the same portal.
Apply by Phone
Call the NYC Child Support Infoline at (888) 208-4485, Monday–Friday 8am–7pm. Spanish-speaking representatives are available.
Apply In Person
Visit any NYC OCSS office. Find locations at nyc.gov/ocss or call 311.
How Is the Amount of Child Support Determined?
New York uses a formula called the Child Support Standards Act (CSSA) to calculate the basic support obligation. The formula applies a percentage of the combined parental income to the number of children:
- 17% for one child
- 25% for two children
- 29% for three children
- 31% for four children
- 35% or more for five or more children
This percentage is applied to the non-custodial parent’s income (and in some cases, combined income). The family court judge may deviate from the formula in certain circumstances. Additional costs like health insurance, child care, and educational expenses are typically added on top of the basic support amount.
Establishing Paternity
Before a child support order can be entered for a child born outside of marriage, legal parentage — paternity — must be established. In NYC, this can be done:
- At the hospital: Both parents can sign an Acknowledgment of Paternity form when the child is born — this is the simplest method
- At a local registrar’s office: Any time after the birth
- Through family court: If paternity is disputed, either parent can petition family court for a paternity proceeding, which may include DNA testing
OCSS can help with paternity establishment as part of the child support application process.
Enforcing a Child Support Order
If the non-custodial parent is not paying as ordered, OCSS has powerful enforcement tools:
- Income withholding: Child support is deducted directly from the paying parent’s paycheck by their employer
- Tax refund interception: Federal and state tax refunds can be seized and applied to child support arrears
- License suspension: Driver’s licenses and professional licenses can be suspended for non-payment
- Credit reporting: Arrears are reported to credit bureaus
- Passport denial: The federal government can deny passports to parents who owe significant arrears
- Contempt of court: In serious cases, a judge can hold a non-paying parent in contempt, which can result in fines or incarceration
Modifying a Child Support Order
Either parent can petition family court to modify a child support order when there has been a substantial change in circumstances — a significant change in income, job loss, disability, a new child, or a change in the child’s needs. Contact OCSS or file a petition in family court to begin the modification process.
If You Are the Paying Parent
If you owe child support:
- Pay through the OCSS payment center to ensure proper credit — do not pay directly to the other parent if you have an OCSS case, as direct payments may not be credited properly
- If you lose your job or income drops significantly, petition immediately for a modification — orders do not automatically adjust
- Contact OCSS at (888) 208-4485 if you have questions about your account or arrears
- If you have large arrears and are experiencing hardship, ask about OCSS’s Arrears Forgiveness Program, which may reduce state-owed arrears in certain circumstances
Free Legal Help for Child Support Matters
- OCSS: (888) 208-4485 — nyc.gov/ocss
- Her Justice: (212) 274-0404 — free legal help for women in child support proceedings
- Legal Aid Society: (212) 577-3300 — family court representation
- Legal Services NYC: (917) 661-4500
- NYC Family Court Self-Help: nyc.gov/courts — forms and guides for pro se filers
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a lawyer to get child support in NYC?
No. OCSS handles the process for you at no charge, including petitioning family court. You can also file a petition in family court yourself without an attorney. However, if the case is complex — high income, contested paternity, or the other parent has a lawyer — legal representation helps. Legal Aid Society and Her Justice provide free representation to eligible applicants.
I can’t find the other parent. Can OCSS help?
Yes. Parent location services are one of OCSS’s core functions. They can search employment records, tax records, and other databases to locate a non-custodial parent who is avoiding responsibility.
Can child support be ordered for a child who is not mine?
No. A child support order requires legal parentage — either through a signed Acknowledgment of Paternity or a family court paternity order. If you are disputing paternity, you have the right to request DNA testing through family court before a support order is entered.
I lost my job. Can my child support order be reduced?
Yes, but only through a court modification — the order does not automatically change. File a modification petition as soon as your income drops significantly. Arrears that accumulate before the modification are generally not retroactively reduced, which is why acting immediately is critical.
