Child Support

Doesn't your child deserve what is best for him or her?

Having two parents that care for and support them is what is best for your child.

Taking responsibility for your child.

Child Support Collection and Enforcement Unit

Every child is entitled to financial and emotional support from both parents.

This is true even if the child's parents do not live together and were never married. If you are the parent of a child, New York State law says you are responsible for the financial support of that child until the child is 21, even if you have never lived with the child or do not live with the child now.

If the child does not live with you, you will have to make child support payments to the other parent or to the person who is taking care of the child. This support should start the day your child is born.

There is a Child Support Collection and Enforcement Unit in each county in New York State. The Yates County Unit helps those families who reside in Yates County.

The child support program can help:

	Find an absent (non-custodial) parent;
	Establish legal fatherhood for a child;
	Get a support order from court, including medical support;
	Collect child support payments from an absent parent; and
	Enforce court orders when child support is not paid.

Who is eligible for child support services?

Any child residing in Yates County. Any custodial parent or guardian who needs them.

Child Support Services

Once you apply, the following services are provided by our program free of charge. These services are available whether the absent parent lives in or outside of New York. You may be asked to pay for a lawyer if you want one.

Location of Absent Parents
Computer searches are used to find the absent parent if you do not know where he or she lives or works.

Paternity Establishment
We will help you establish legal fatherhood either by voluntary acknowledgement or through court.

Support Establishment
To get the child support you are legally entitled to, you need a support order from the court. We will help you file a petition to get a support order.

Medical Support Establishment
The court will make a determination of which parent will be responsible for health insurance coverage and medical support.

Collection
The absent parent will be ordered to pay child support to the Support Collection Unit (SCU). The SCU will keep track of the payments and promptly send them to you.

Enforcement
We provide automatic enforcement of child support orders. Without going back to court, we can: deduct child support from income; suspend driver's licenses; take tax refunds and lottery winnings; seize bank accounts.

Medical Support Enforcement
If the absent parent was ordered to provide health insurance for the child and has not, we will automatically require the absent parent's employer to deduct any employee-paid health insurance premiums for his or her wages.

What is expected of the custodial parent or guardian?

	If you are a temporary assistance client, you are required to cooperate with the Child Support Enforcement Unit.
	If you are not receiving temporary assistance, you need to complete an application to request services. Most of these services are free. You may be asked to pay for a lawyer, if you want one.
	You will be required to attend any court appearances.

What is expected of the non-custodial parent?

	Attend all court appearances.
	Notify the Child Support Enforcement Unit of any change in address, income, employer, name, or medical insurance availability.
	Make payments according to your court order. Send payments only to: New York State Child Support Processing Center Post Office Box 15636 Albany, NY 12212-5363 Please write your 9-digit account number on all payments.
	Send correspondence, including your 9-digit account number to: Yates County Support Collection Unit PO Box 16 Penn Yan, New York 14527

What is expected of employers who withhold child support payments?

	Send all payments to: New York State Child Support Processing Center PO Box 15363 Albany, NY 12212-5363
	Be sure to include all names, account numbers, corresponding amounts and week ending dates.
	If you would like information on sending child support payments electronically, please call1-888-208-4485
	Remit all child support payments to Albany within 7 days after withholding from respondent's pay.
	If you have questions regarding an income execution, please call 315-536-5186 during office hours of 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday to Friday

Contact Information: New York State Child Support Information Line Available 7 days a week/24 hours a day Telephone 1-800-846-0773 Must have touch tone phone to use the Information Line. Available in English and Spanish or visit the www.newyorkchildsupport.com website

Text Used with permission of Oswego County DSS and the NYS Office of Child Support Collection and Enforcement