If your child is currently receiving CalWORKS (cash) benefits you do not need to complete an application form; the Department of Child Support Services will automatically open a case for you because the public social services agency must send a referral to our office. If your child is not receiving CalWORKS because you have exceeded the maximum family grant (you have other children who are receiving CalWORKS), we will also automatically open a case for you.
If your child is not receiving public assistance (“CalWORKS”), and you are the parent or legal guardian of the child, you may apply for services by completing an application one of three ways:
Online: through the DCSS online application, childsupport.ca.gov, or by clicking here.
Phone: Call our Customer Contact Center at (866)901-3212 and request an application be mailed to you.
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If your child is receiving CalWORKS benefits in San Joaquin County, we are required by law to open a case. You do not need to apply for child support services and there is no cost to you.
If your child is not currently receiving aid, you may open a case with our office by submitting an application for services. Although there is no cost to apply for child support services, there may be a minimal annual cost if we are successful in collecting support for you.
Beginning October 1, 2011, if your child has never received aid, California charges an annual service fee of $35 once we have sent you payments totaling $550 or more in the previous federal fiscal year (October 1 - September 30). This fee is based on federal law and state policy. The fee will automatically be deducted from your next payment(s) until the full $35 is paid. If you have more than one case open with our office or any other local child support agency, the payments and fees will be calculated separately for each case. The California Department of Child Support Services (DCSS) began sending one-time notices to existing case participants in May 2011. DCSS will send a notification letter on October 1 of each year to custodial parties who have qualifying cases and are being charged the annual service fee.
If you have an existing child support order, please provide:
If you are not the parent of the child, please provide:
Please keep in mind that you should provide the most complete, reliable and accurate information possible. This should make it easier and faster to obtain and enforce a child support order.