Anyone who has a child support and/or medical support order,
or wants to establish one, can apply for child support enforcement
services by completing an application form. After the application
form is signed, the child support process begins. Parents
who receive public assistance, including Medi-Cal, will
automatically be referred to the DCSS by the Welfare Department.
The DCSS will take the following steps to collect support
from a non-custodial parent
STEP 1: OPEN A CHILD SUPPORT CASE
Either parent, or the caretaker/guardian of a child, may
open a child support case by completing an application.
The DCSS will also open a case for any individual receiving
Welfare and/or Medi-Cal who has been referred by the county
Welfare Department. The more information the custodial party
gives about the case, the better service the DCSS can provide.
Services are available to all persons whether or not they
are receiving public assistance
STEP 2: LOCATE THE PARENT
To get an order for support, establish paternity or enforce
a child support order, the DCSS must know where the non-custodial
parent lives or works. The DCSS will make every effort to
locate the non-custodial parent.
STEP 3: ESTABLISH PATERNITY
If paternity (fatherhood) has not yet been established,
the DCSS will take the necessary steps to establish paternity.
(Paternity must be established before child and medical
support can be ordered by the court.)
STEP 4: ESTABLISH A SUPPORT ORDER
If a court order for child support does not already exist,
and the non-custodial parent is located, one will be sought
by the DCSS and established by the court based on both parent's
ability to pay support, the amount of time the child spends
with each parent, and the financial needs of the child.
The DCSS will also request that the court require the non-custodial
parent to provide health insurance for the child.. The court
will order the non-custodial parent to provide health insurance
if it is available at a reasonable cost.
STEP 5: ENFORCEMENT OF SUPPORT ORDERS
The DCSS will take steps to enforce court orders for child
support and medical support. Enforcement action will be
taken by the DCSS if the non custodial parent does not pay
or pays less than the amount ordered, or if the non-custodial
parent does not provide health insurance for the child as
ordered by the court. The DCSS will determine what type
of enforcement action is to be taken, consistent with state
and federal regulations.
