Office of Child Support Services

OCSS is the federal agency that oversees the national child support program. We do not manage individual cases or have direct access to case information. We partner with federal, state, tribal and local governments and others to promote parental responsibility so that children receive support from both parents even when they live in separate households. Under the leadership of Deputy Commissioner Linda Boyer, we help child support agencies in states and tribes develop, manage, and operate their programs according to federal law using effective child support enforcement tools. OCSS proposes and implements national policy for the child support program. State, Tribal, and Local Agencies Child support agencies provide these services to families: - Locate noncustodial parents - Establish paternity - Establish and enforce support orders - Modify orders when appropriate - Collect and disburse child support payments Either parent may apply for services. Grandparents or other custodians may also apply.